CVE-2023-22701
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in Shopfiles Ltd's Ebook Store WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Attackers could potentially access restricted functionality or data without proper authentication. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the Ebook Store plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Shopfiles Ltd Ebook Store WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Ebook Store by Shopfiles
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of ebook store functionality, unauthorized access to all ebooks, user data exposure, and potential privilege escalation to administrative functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to premium ebooks, user account information, and store management functions without payment or proper authorization.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper network segmentation, strong authentication mechanisms, and regular access control audits in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 5.775
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Ebook Store' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and remove plugin, then install latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate ebook-store
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock unauthorized access attempts to ebook store endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit plugin exposure
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to ebook store endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Ebook Store version. If version is 5.775 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get ebook-store --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 5.775 and test access controls for restricted ebook store functions.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to /wp-content/plugins/ebook-store/ endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful access to restricted content
- Access to premium ebook download URLs without corresponding purchase records
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to ebook store API endpoints
- Requests bypassing normal authentication flows
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("ebook-store" OR "ebook_store") AND ("unauthorized" OR "access denied" OR "403" OR "bypass")