CVE-2023-32238

TheGem < 5.8.1.1 - Missing Authorization

2023-05-05 00:00

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 5.8.1.1
Affected Theme: TheGem
Affected Version: < 5.8.1.1
CVSS: 6.3Medium
Weakness type: CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE: CVE-2023-32238

At a glance

CVE-2023-32238 is a medium-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the TheGem WordPress theme, affecting versions < 5.8.1.1. It carries a CVSS score of 6.3 (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 5.8.1.1; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed May 2023, reported by Dave Jong.

Vulnerability Overview

The TheGem theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification and retrieval of data due to a missing capability check on the ajaxApi() function called via an AJAX action in versions up to 5.8.1.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to perform several actions like modifying custom fields, theme options, retrieving theme data, and more

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

TheGem < 5.8.1.1 carries this weakness at ajaxApi(), 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 TheGem the fix is 5.8.1.1: builds < 5.8.1.1 are affected, anything from 5.8.1.1 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 5.8.1.1, 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: TheGem 5.8.1.1 closes this, and updating the theme is the step that ends it.

Login Security
Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-32238 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/074e8e37-147d-47ea-93ed-652d7de7be9e https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32238

Related records

Same weakness class

Other vulnerabilities in TheGem

CVSS Vector

6.3

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

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredLow
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityLow

This record contains material that is subject to copyright

CVE Usage: MITRE hereby grants you a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, no-charge, royalty-free, irrevocable copyright license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, sublicense, and distribute Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE®). Any copy you make for such purposes is authorized provided that you reproduce MITRE's copyright designation and this license in any such copy.

https://www.cve.org/Legal/TermsOfUse

Defiant hereby grants you a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, no-charge, royalty-free, irrevocable copyright license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, sublicense, and distribute this software vulnerability information. Any copy of the software vulnerability information you make for such purposes is authorized provided that you include a hyperlink to this vulnerability record and reproduce Defiant's copyright designation and this license in any such copy.

https://www.wordfence.com/wordfence-intelligence-terms-and-conditions/