CVE-2023-2736 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-2736 pertains to a vulnerability in the Groundhogg plugin for WordPress, allowing attackers to perform Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. The plugin versions up to and including 2.7.9.8 are affected by this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2023-2736

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-2736, shedding light on its significance, impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-2736?

The CVE-2023-2736 vulnerability specifically affects the Groundhogg plugin for WordPress. It arises from a lack of nonce validation in the 'ajax_edit_contact' function. As a result, authenticated attackers can manipulate the assigned user's auto login link via a shortcode to escalate their privileges on the affected WordPress site with administrator involvement.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2736

The impact of CVE-2023-2736 is considered high, with a base severity score of 7.5 (HIGH). Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially perform unauthorized actions and elevate their privileges on the affected WordPress site, posing a significant security risk to user data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2736

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2736, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Groundhogg plugin for WordPress enables attackers to conduct Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by manipulating the auto login link assigned to users, leading to privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Groundhogg plugin versions up to and including 2.7.9.8 are susceptible to this CSRF vulnerability. Users operating these versions are at risk of exploitation if adequate remediation measures are not implemented.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the lack of nonce validation in the 'ajax_edit_contact' function of the Groundhogg plugin to trick site administrators into performing actions that elevate the attacker's privileges on the WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-2736 vulnerability, it is essential to implement immediate steps to mitigate the risk, establish long-term security practices, and ensure timely patching and updates to safeguard WordPress sites from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Site administrators should consider disabling the vulnerable Groundhogg plugin or updating it to a secure version beyond 2.7.9.8. It is crucial to monitor user activities closely and validate user requests to prevent CSRF attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize security awareness training for staff, conduct regular security audits, and adhere to WordPress security best practices to enhance the overall security posture of their websites.

Patching and Updates

Developers of the Groundhogg plugin should release patches promptly to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability. WordPress site owners must apply these patches and stay informed about security updates to protect their online assets from potential security threats.