CVE-2023-5559 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in the 10Web Booster WordPress plugin before version 2.24.18, allowing unauthenticated users to delete arbitrary options from the database, leading to denial of service. The CVE was published on November 27, 2023, by WPScan.

Understanding CVE-2023-5559

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-5559, shedding light on the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5559?

CVE-2023-5559 involves the 10Web Booster WordPress plugin's failure to validate the option name provided to certain AJAX actions. This oversight enables unauthorized users to delete arbitrary options from the database, resulting in a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5559

The vulnerability in the 10Web Booster plugin before version 2.24.18 poses a significant threat as it allows unauthenticated users to interfere with database options, potentially leading to service disruptions and data loss.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5559

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-5559.

Vulnerability Description

The 10Web Booster WordPress plugin version less than 2.24.18 lacks proper validation for option names in AJAX actions, enabling unauthorized users to delete arbitrary options from the database, which can trigger denial of service scenarios.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the 10Web Booster plugin prior to 2.24.18. Users utilizing versions earlier than the mentioned one are susceptible to potential exploitation by unauthenticated entities.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-5559 involves leveraging the lack of validation on option names within certain AJAX actions provided by the 10Web Booster WordPress plugin, allowing attackers to manipulate the database options and cause service disruptions.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and guidance on patching and updates to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-5559.

Immediate Steps to Take

For immediate risk mitigation, users are advised to update their 10Web Booster WordPress plugin to version 2.24.18 or later. Additionally, restricting access to sensitive operations to authenticated users can help prevent unauthorized database modifications.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, it is crucial for WordPress site administrators to regularly monitor and update plugins, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, conduct security audits, and educate users on best security practices to fortify their website against potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Developers of the 10Web Booster plugin have released version 2.24.18, addressing the vulnerability. All users are urged to apply this update promptly to eliminate the security risk posed by CVE-2023-5559.