CVE-2023-7064

Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme <= 2.17.5 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) PHP Object Injection via auxin_template_control_importer

2024-04-15 00:00
Rhynorater

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 2.17.6
Affected Version
<= 2.17.5
CVSS
7.5High
Weakness type
CWE-502 · Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CVE
CVE-2023-7064
View all Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2023-7064 is a high-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 2.17.5. It carries a CVSS score of 7.5 (reachable over the network; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Subscriber level or above. The issue is fixed in version 2.17.6; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed April 2024, reported by Rhynorater.

Vulnerability Overview

The Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 2.17.5 via deserialization of untrusted input from the vulnerable 'id' parameter in the 'auxin_template_control_importer' function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers able to upload a separate PHAR payload as an image file to inject a PHP Object, though the action itself is available to subscribers. No POP chain is present in the vulnerable plugin. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it could allow the attacker to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code.

Technical Analysis

The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.

CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme <= 2.17.5 carries this weakness at auxin_template_control_importer, and reaching it takes an account at Subscriber level or above. Deserialization of untrusted data means the application reconstructs objects from input a caller controls, letting the attacker choose which classes get instantiated and what their properties hold.

A workable chain turns deserialization into file writes, deletions or code execution, depending on what the loaded classes do in their magic methods. For Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme the fix is 2.17.6: builds <= 2.17.5 are affected, anything from 2.17.6 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 2.17.6, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

An attacker needs Subscriber access first, so the firewall sees the attempt as traffic from a logged-in account: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. Classes like this one can leave something behind, so the staged malware scanner is the second half: it looks for dropped files and modified code rather than for the request that created them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme 2.17.6 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

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External References

Related records

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