CVE-2023-4404 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability found in the Donation Forms by Charitable plugin for WordPress, with versions up to and including 1.7.0.12. The vulnerability allows for privilege escalation due to insufficient restriction on the 'update_core_user' function, enabling unauthenticated attackers to specify their user role by supplying the 'role' parameter during a registration.

Understanding CVE-2023-4404

This section delves deeper into the nature and impact of CVE-2023-4404.

What is CVE-2023-4404?

CVE-2023-4404 is a vulnerability in the Donation Forms by Charitable plugin for WordPress, allowing unauthenticated attackers to manipulate their user role during registration, leading to privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4404

The impact of this vulnerability is deemed critical, with a base score of 9.8 in the CVSSv3.1 scoring system. Attackers can exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges within the system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4404

In this section, we will explore the technical details surrounding CVE-2023-4404.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Donation Forms by Charitable plugin is categorized under CWE-269 - Improper Privilege Management. It stems from insufficient checks on the 'update_core_user' function, facilitating unauthorized manipulation of user roles.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system includes the Donation Forms by Charitable plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.7.0.12. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of falling victim to privilege escalation attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability by supplying a crafted 'role' parameter during the registration process, allowing them to elevate their privileges within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-4404, prompt actions and long-term security measures are necessary.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the Donation Forms by Charitable plugin to a version beyond 1.7.0.12 to mitigate the privilege escalation risk. Additionally, review user roles and permissions to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security protocols, such as regular security audits, user role validations, and access control mechanisms, to prevent similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the plugin developer. Regularly update the plugin and monitor security advisories to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities effectively.