CVE-2023-2280

WP Directory Kit <= 1.2.2 - Missing Authorization to Plugin Installation, Settings Change/Delete, Demo Import, Directory Kit Deletion via wdk_public_action

2023-05-02 00:00
Ram

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 1.2.3
Affected Plugin
WP Directory Kit
Affected Version
<= 1.2.2
CVSS
6.5Medium
Weakness type
CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE
CVE-2023-2280
View all WP Directory Kit vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2023-2280 is a medium-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 1.2.2. It carries a CVSS score of 6.5 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity). Exploitation requires no authentication. The issue is fixed in version 1.2.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed May 2023, reported by Ram.

Vulnerability Overview

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'ajax_public' function in versions up to, and including, 1.2.2. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete or change plugin settings, import demo data, delete Directory Kit related posts and terms, and install arbitrary plugins. A partial patch was introduced in version 1.2.0 and an additional partial patch was introduced in version 1.2.2, but the issue was not fully patched until 1.2.3.

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.

CWE-862: Missing Authorization

WP Directory Kit <= 1.2.2 carries this weakness at ajax_public, and reaching it 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 Directory Kit the fix is 1.2.3: builds <= 1.2.2 are affected, anything from 1.2.3 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 1.2.3, 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 Directory Kit 1.2.3 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Login Security
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-2280https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/abb1a758-5c16-4841-b1c7-0705ab16b328https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2280

Related records

Vulnerability data © Defiant, Inc., provided under the Wordfence Intelligence T&C