Contextual Related Posts <= 3.3.1 - Missing Authorization in crp_ajax_clearcache

2023-02-20 00:00
Anonymous

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 3.3.2
Affected Plugin
Contextual Related Posts
Affected Version
<= 3.3.1
CVSS
4.3Medium
Weakness type
CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE
CVE pending
View all Contextual Related Posts vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a medium-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Contextual Related Posts WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 3.3.1. It carries a CVSS score of 4.3 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity). The root cause is a missing authorization check on a reachable function. The issue is fixed in version 3.3.2; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed February 2023.

Vulnerability Overview

The Contextual Related Posts plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the crp_ajax_clearcache function in versions up to, and including, 3.3.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to clear the Contextual Related Posts cache.

Technical Analysis

The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user.

CWE-862: Missing Authorization

Reaching this weakness in Contextual Related Posts <= 3.3.1 takes a caller who can reach the endpoint. A missing authorization check means a function is reachable by anyone who can reach the endpoint, because the code never asks whether the caller is allowed to perform the action.

Any user who can reach the endpoint gets to run an action reserved for higher-privileged roles, from reading protected data to changing settings or content. For Contextual Related Posts the fix is 3.3.2: builds <= 3.3.1 are affected, anything from 3.3.2 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 3.3.2, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

Because it turns on account access, WordSec's login security is the relevant layer: role-based two-factor, captcha and brute-force limits raise the cost of getting the account this needs. None of that substitutes for the fix: Contextual Related Posts 3.3.2 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Login Security
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/37b5fcfd-654b-4151-9494-551799464c7c

Related records

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