CVE-2023-4239 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE details a vulnerability found in the Real Estate Manager plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 6.7.1. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers, even with minimal permissions such as a subscriber, to escalate their privileges by manipulating the 'wp_capabilities' parameter during a profile update.

Understanding CVE-2023-4239

The Real Estate Manager plugin for WordPress is susceptible to privilege escalation due to insufficient restrictions in the 'rem_save_profile_front' function.

What is CVE-2023-4239?

CVE-2023-4239 is a vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to elevate their permissions within the Real Estate Manager plugin for WordPress, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive functions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4239

This vulnerability poses a high risk as it enables authenticated users with limited permissions to escalate their privileges within the plugin, potentially leading to unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4239

The following technical aspects outline the vulnerability in detail:

Vulnerability Description

The privilege escalation vulnerability in the Real Estate Manager plugin for WordPress, up to version 6.7.1, is attributed to a lack of proper restrictions in the 'rem_save_profile_front' function, allowing attackers to manipulate their user role.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: rameez_iqbal
Product: Real Estate Manager – Property Listing and Agent Management
Versions Affected: Up to and including 6.7.1
Default Status: Unaffected

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability by supplying a specific parameter ('wp_capabilities') during a profile update, thus modifying their user role and gaining unauthorized privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems and mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-4239, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Real Estate Manager plugin to a version beyond 6.7.1 to ensure the vulnerability is patched.
Monitor user activities within the plugin for any unauthorized role changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to the latest versions to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access policies to limit the capabilities of user roles within WordPress.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates released by the plugin developer to address any identified vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.