CVE-2023-25701

WatchTowerHQ <= 3.6.16 - Type Juggling to Authentication Bypass in check_ota

2023-02-14 00:00

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 3.6.17
Affected Plugin: WatchTowerHQ
Affected Version: <= 3.6.16
CVSS: 9.8Critical
Weakness type: CWE-697 · Incorrect Comparison
CVE: CVE-2023-25701

At a glance

CVE-2023-25701 is a critical-severity Incorrect Comparison vulnerability in the WatchTowerHQ WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 3.6.16. It carries a CVSS score of 9.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires no authentication. The issue is fixed in version 3.6.17; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed February 2023, reported by Dave Jong.

Vulnerability Overview

The WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to a type juggling issue in versions up to, and including, 3.6.16. This is due to an incorrect comparison in the check_ota function between the user-supplied access token and the configured WatchTower access token. This makes it possible for unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass intended authentication restrictions via REST API.

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 privileges on the target site, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.

CWE-697: Incorrect Comparison

The product compares two entities in a security-relevant context, but the comparison is incorrect.

Remediation

Update to version 3.6.17, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The fix is the thing that ends this: WatchTowerHQ 3.6.17 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-25701 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/481c738e-d544-4587-8632-e85a7ddd8b14 https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25701

Related records

Other vulnerabilities in WatchTowerHQ

CVSS Vector

9.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredNone
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh

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