CVE-2023-6984 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-6984 information was published on January 3, 2024, by Wordfence. It involves a vulnerability in the PowerPack Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to 2.7.13. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, potentially manipulating plugin settings if a site administrator is tricked into taking action.

Understanding CVE-2023-6984

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-6984, providing insights into the vulnerability's nature and impact.

What is CVE-2023-6984?

CVE-2023-6984 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability found in the PowerPack Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress. Attackers could exploit this flaw to forge requests and modify plugin settings without authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6984

The impact of CVE-2023-6984 is categorized as MEDIUM severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3. This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially manipulate plugin settings, posing a risk to the affected WordPress websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6984

In this section, we explore the technical details surrounding CVE-2023-6984, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation in the powerpack-lite-for-elementor/classes/class-pp-admin-settings.php file. This oversight enables unauthenticated attackers to trick site administrators into making unintended modifications to plugin settings through forged requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

The PowerPack Addons for Elementor plugin versions up to and including 2.7.13 are impacted by CVE-2023-6984. Websites utilizing these versions are vulnerable to CSRF attacks that could lead to unauthorized changes in plugin configurations.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-6984 involves crafting deceptive requests to manipulate plugin settings. By enticing site administrators to interact with malicious links or content, attackers can execute CSRF attacks and alter the configuration of the PowerPack Addons for Elementor plugin.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-6984 and similar vulnerabilities, prompt action is necessary. Implementing the following mitigation strategies can enhance security posture and reduce the risk of exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the PowerPack Addons for Elementor plugin to the latest version to patch the CSRF vulnerability.
Educate site administrators about the risks of clicking on suspicious links and practicing caution while interacting with external content.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from plugin developers to stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities.
Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) and security plugins to fortify defenses against CSRF and other malicious exploits.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security patches released by the plugin vendor and promptly apply them to eliminate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct routine security audits and assessments to identify and address any lingering vulnerabilities within the WordPress environment.