CVE-2023-4642 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record was published by WPScan on November 27, 2023. The vulnerability is titled "kk Star Ratings < 5.4.6 - Rating Tampering via Race Condition" and affects the kk Star Ratings WordPress plugin version prior to 5.4.6.

Understanding CVE-2023-4642

This section provides an insight into the nature of CVE-2023-4642 and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-4642?

CVE-2023-4642 involves the kk Star Ratings WordPress plugin before version 5.4.6, which fails to implement atomic operations. This flaw enables a single user to vote multiple times on a poll due to a Race Condition vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4642

The vulnerability in kk Star Ratings < 5.4.6 can allow malicious users to manipulate ratings by exploiting the Race Condition. This could undermine the integrity of ratings and distort the perception of products or services.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4642

Delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-4642 to understand its implications better.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in kk Star Ratings before version 5.4.6 arises from the lack of proper implementation of atomic operations, leading to a Race Condition that allows multiple votes from a single user.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the kk Star Ratings WordPress plugin with versions less than 5.4.6. Users utilizing versions prior to 5.4.6 are susceptible to the rating manipulation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-4642 involves taking advantage of the Race Condition in the plugin to submit multiple votes and manipulate ratings. Attackers can leverage this flaw to distort the perceived popularity or quality of content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the strategies to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-4642 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the kk Star Ratings plugin to version 5.4.6 or newer to patch the vulnerability and prevent rating tampering via Race Condition. Additionally, monitoring for any unusual voting patterns can help detect and mitigate abuse.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, such as utilizing atomic operations for critical operations and conducting thorough security testing, can enhance the resilience of plugins against race condition vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins to the latest versions and staying informed about security advisories can help ensure that vulnerabilities like the one in kk Star Ratings < 5.4.6 are addressed promptly, minimizing the risk of exploitation.