CVE-2023-5713 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE article provides details about a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5713, which affects the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2023-5713

This section covers an overview of the CVE-2023-5713 vulnerability affecting the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2023-5713?

CVE-2023-5713 is a vulnerability found in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress. The issue arises from a missing capability check on the

sd_option_value()

function accessed through an AJAX action in versions up to and including 2.8.7. This vulnerability enables authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above to retrieve potentially sensitive option values and deserialize the content of those values.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5713

The impact of CVE-2023-5713 is that it allows authenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress. This unauthorized access could lead to the exposure of confidential information stored within the plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5713

In this section, we delve into the technical details of CVE-2023-5713, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is due to a missing capability check on the

sd_option_value()

function accessed through an AJAX action. This oversight allows attackers with subscriber-level access and higher to retrieve and potentially manipulate sensitive option values.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-5713 vulnerability impacts all versions of the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress up to and including version 2.8.7. Users utilizing versions within this range are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-5713, attackers with subscriber-level access or above can leverage the missing capability check on the

sd_option_value()

function hooked via an AJAX action. By doing so, they can retrieve sensitive option values and manipulate the content within the System Dashboard plugin.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides guidance on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-5713 and preventing potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress are advised to update to the latest version available. By patching the vulnerability through software updates, users can safeguard their systems against unauthorized data access.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to immediate patching, it is essential for WordPress site administrators to follow best security practices. This includes regularly updating plugins, implementing strong access controls, and monitoring for any unauthorized activities.

Patching and Updates

The developers of the System Dashboard plugin have likely released a fix for the vulnerability. It is crucial for users to apply the latest updates promptly to protect their systems from potential exploitation.