CVE-2023-6295 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-6295, a vulnerability in the SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2023-6295

This section delves into the nature of CVE-2023-6295 and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-6295?

CVE-2023-6295, titled "so-widgets-bundle < 1.51.0 - Admin+ Local File Inclusion," is a vulnerability found in the SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle WordPress plugin before version 1.51.0. The issue arises from a lack of validation of user input, which results in the generation of insecure paths used in include function/s. This vulnerability enables users with the administrator role to execute Local File Inclusion (LFI) attacks within Multisite WordPress environments.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6295

The impact of CVE-2023-6295 is significant as it allows malicious actors with administrator privileges to exploit the vulnerability and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive files and data within affected WordPress sites. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to further security breaches and compromise the integrity of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6295

This section highlights specific technical details related to CVE-2023-6295.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle plugin arises from the lack of proper input validation, leading to the creation of insecure paths used by include functions. This flaw can be exploited by users with administrator permissions to execute LFI attacks within Multisite WordPress environments.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle plugin versions prior to 1.51.0. Specifically, version 0 up to version 1.50.0 are susceptible to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit the CVE-2023-6295 vulnerability by leveraging the insecure path generation in the plugin to include malicious files, thus executing LFI attacks within Multisite WordPress instances.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-6295, users and administrators are advised to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade the SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle plugin to version 1.51.0 or newer to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict administrative access to minimize the possibility of exploitation.
Conduct security audits to detect any signs of unauthorized access or file manipulation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all plugins and themes to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices such as least privilege access and principle of least privilege to limit potential attack surfaces.
Stay informed about security advisories and vulnerabilities related to WordPress plugins and themes.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to stay vigilant about security updates released by the plugin developers. Applying patches and updates promptly ensures that known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-6295 are remediated and the system remains secure from potential exploitation.