CVE-2023-5711 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-5711, a vulnerability found in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2023-5711

CVE-2023-5711 is a security vulnerability identified in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress that allows unauthorized access to sensitive data due to a missing capability check on the

sd_php_info()

function.

What is CVE-2023-5711?

The vulnerability in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress, up to version 2.8.7, enables authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above to retrieve sensitive information provided by PHP info. This occurs because of the absence of a capability check on the

sd_php_info()

function hooked via an AJAX action.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5711

The impact of CVE-2023-5711 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to access sensitive information, potentially compromising the security and privacy of the website running the affected plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5711

This section dives into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-5711 vulnerability in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of a capability check on the

sd_php_info()

function, which can be exploited by authenticated attackers to access PHP info data.

Affected Systems and Versions

The System Dashboard plugin for WordPress up to and including version 2.8.7 is affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with at least subscriber-level access can exploit this vulnerability by utilizing the missing capability check on the

sd_php_info()

function through an AJAX action.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5711 and enhance security, certain steps need to be taken by website administrators using the affected System Dashboard plugin for WordPress.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the System Dashboard plugin to version 2.8.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor user access and privileges to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all installed plugins and themes to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement a robust user access control mechanism to limit privileges based on roles.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is kept up to date with the latest releases to address any security vulnerabilities and protect the website from potential exploitation.