CVE-2023-5761 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Wordfence, was published on December 7, 2023. It identifies a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Burst Statistics – Privacy-Friendly Analytics for WordPress plugin, affecting versions 1.4.0 to 1.4.6.1 (free) and versions 1.4.0 to 1.5.0 (pro). German Ritter is credited with discovering this critical vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2023-5761

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-5761, outlining the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5761?

The Burst Statistics – Privacy-Friendly Analytics for WordPress plugin is susceptible to SQL Injection via the 'url' parameter. This vulnerability arises from insufficient escaping on the user-supplied parameter and a lack of preparation on the existing SQL query. Attackers could insert malicious SQL queries, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data in the database.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5761

With a CVSS base score of 9.8 (Critical), this vulnerability poses a severe threat. Malicious actors can exploit it to execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially extracting confidential information, manipulating data, or performing other unauthorized activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5761

Understanding the technical aspects of this vulnerability is crucial for effectively addressing the issue.

Vulnerability Description

The SQL Injection vulnerability in the Burst Statistics plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries to existing ones, enabling them to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted versions include 1.4.0 to 1.4.6.1 for the free version of Burst Statistics and versions 1.4.0 to 1.5.0 for the pro version. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the 'url' parameter, threat actors can inject malicious SQL queries into the plugin, exploiting the lack of proper validation and sanitization to execute unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-5761 requires immediate action to secure affected systems and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Burst Statistics plugin to a patched version that addresses the SQL Injection vulnerability.
Monitor database activities and access logs for any suspicious behavior.
Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if an immediate update is not available.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and parameterized queries to mitigate SQL Injection risks effectively.
Regularly update plugins, themes, and WordPress core to ensure system security.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers. Install patches promptly to protect your WordPress site from known vulnerabilities, such as the SQL Injection flaw in Burst Statistics.