CVE-2023-0876

WP Meta SEO <= 4.5.2 - Missing Authorization in 'startProcess' to Arbitrary Redirect via 'update_link_redirect' task

2023-02-24 00:00
dc11

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 4.5.3
Affected Plugin
WP Meta SEO
Affected Version
<= 4.5.2
CVSS
7.1High
Weakness type
CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE
CVE-2023-0876
View all WP Meta SEO vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2023-0876 is a high-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WP Meta SEO WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 4.5.2. It carries a CVSS score of 7.1 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high integrity impact). The root cause is a missing authorization check on a reachable function. The issue is fixed in version 4.5.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed February 2023, reported by dc11.

Vulnerability Overview

The WP Meta SEO plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized execution of tasks due to a missing capability check on the startProcess function in versions up to, and including, 4.5.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access to perform tasks reserved for administrators such as post modifications. This vulnerability occurred as a result of the plugin relying on nonce checks as a means of access control, and that nonce being accessible to all authenticated users regardless of role. Attackers could leverage this to redirect victims to an arbitrary location by setting the link_redirect location through the update_link_redirect task.

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. A successful exploit has high impact on integrity.

CWE-862: Missing Authorization

Reaching this weakness in WP Meta SEO <= 4.5.2 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 WP Meta SEO the fix is 4.5.3: builds <= 4.5.2 are affected, anything from 4.5.3 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 4.5.3, 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: WP Meta SEO 4.5.3 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Login Security
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-0876https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/29c47391-5d37-4f49-8806-1f378a6306d0https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0876

Related records

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