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CVE-2023-7239: Unvalidated User Access Vulnerability in WP Dashboard Notes WordPress Plugin

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Overview

The vulnerability named CVE-2023-7239 is a critical error in the WP Dashboard Notes WordPress plugin, versions prior to 1.0.11. It concerns a flaw in the user access validation for post_id parameters in the wpdn_update_note AJAX action. This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious users with roles of contributor and above, enabling them to modify notes created by others. This could lead to potential system compromise or data leakage, causing significant damage to the affected parties.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-7239
Severity: High, CVSS 7.5
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low (Contributor role and above)
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

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Product | Affected Versions

WP Dashboard Notes WordPress Plugin | Versions prior to 1.0.11

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability arises from the WP Dashboard Notes WordPress plugin not correctly validating user roles for the post_id parameter in the wpdn_update_note AJAX action. This allows users with a contributor role or above to make unauthorized modifications to notes created by other users, potentially leading to data corruption, system compromise, or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability could be exploited. This pseudocode simulates an AJAX request that could be used to exploit the vulnerability:

POST /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=wpdn_update_note HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
post_id=123&note_content=Malicious+content

In this example, the malicious user sends a POST request to the `wpdn_update_note` action with the `post_id` parameter set to a post they do not have access to and `note_content` containing the malicious modifications.

Mitigation

Users are advised to update the WP Dashboard Notes WordPress Plugin to version 1.0.11 or later, where this vulnerability has been fixed. If updating is not immediately possible, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation.

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Disclaimer:

The information and code presented in this article are provided for educational and defensive cybersecurity purposes only. Any conceptual or pseudocode examples are simplified representations intended to raise awareness and promote secure development and system configuration practices.

Do not use this information to attempt unauthorized access or exploit vulnerabilities on systems that you do not own or have explicit permission to test.

Ameeba and its authors do not endorse or condone malicious behavior and are not responsible for misuse of the content. Always follow ethical hacking guidelines, responsible disclosure practices, and local laws.

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