CVE-2023-2434

Nested Pages <= 3.2.3 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Editor+) Plugin Settings Reset

2023-05-30 00:00

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 3.2.4
Affected Plugin: Nested Pages
Affected Version: <= 3.2.3
CVSS: 3.8Low
Weakness type: CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE: CVE-2023-2434

At a glance

CVE-2023-2434 is a low-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Nested Pages WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 3.2.3. It carries a CVSS score of 3.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Editor level or above. The issue is fixed in version 3.2.4; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed May 2023, reported by István Márton.

Vulnerability Overview

The Nested Pages plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'reset' function in versions up to, and including, 3.2.3. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with editor-level permissions and above, to reset plugin settings.

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

Nested Pages <= 3.2.3 carries this weakness at reset, and reaching it takes an account at Editor level or above. 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 Nested Pages the fix is 3.2.4: builds <= 3.2.3 are affected, anything from 3.2.4 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 3.2.4, 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: Nested Pages 3.2.4 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

Login Security
Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-2434 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/8c3e61e9-3610-41b5-9820-28012dc657fd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2434

Related records

Same weakness class

6.4Nested Pages <= 3.0.7 Missing Authorization

Other vulnerabilities in Nested Pages

CVSS Vector

3.8

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

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredHigh
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityLow

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