CVE-2023-5386 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-5386 relates to a vulnerability found in the Funnelforms Free plugin for WordPress, which allows for unauthorized modification of data. Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions and above can exploit this vulnerability to delete arbitrary posts, including administrator posts, and posts not related to the plugin.

Understanding CVE-2023-5386

This section will cover what CVE-2023-5386 involves, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5386?

CVE-2023-5386 is a security flaw in the Funnelforms Free plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability arises due to a missing capability check on the fnsf_delete_posts function in versions up to and including 3.4. This oversight enables authenticated attackers with specific permissions to delete various posts within the WordPress environment.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5386

The impact of CVE-2023-5386 is significant as it allows attackers with subscriber-level permissions and higher to manipulate data by deleting posts, including crucial administrator posts and those unrelated to the Funnelforms Free plugin. This unauthorized deletion can disrupt website content and compromise the integrity of the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5386

In this section, we will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Funnelforms Free plugin results from the absence of a capability check on the fnsf_delete_posts function. This lapse permits authenticated users with specific permissions to delete posts, which can have severe consequences for the targeted WordPress installation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Funnelforms Free plugin versions up to and including 3.4 are affected by CVE-2023-5386. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation by attackers with the requisite permissions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-5386 involves authenticated attackers leveraging their subscriber-level permissions or higher to trigger unauthorized post deletions within the WordPress platform. This manipulation can lead to various undesirable outcomes for the website owner.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline immediate actions to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should promptly update the Funnelforms Free plugin to a secure version, ideally one released after the fix for CVE-2023-5386. Additionally, reviewing user permissions to limit unnecessary access can help reduce the risk of unauthorized data manipulation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a robust security posture that includes regular security audits, user permissions reviews, and timely plugin updates can enhance the overall security of WordPress websites. Training users on security best practices is also crucial for minimizing vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant about installing security patches and updates released by plugin developers is essential in safeguarding WordPress installations. By ensuring plugins are up-to-date, users can mitigate the risk of falling victim to known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5386.