CVE-2023-27449
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-27449 is a missing authorization vulnerability in TotalSuite Total Poll Lite WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. This enables unauthorized users to perform actions that should require proper authentication. All WordPress sites using Total Poll Lite versions up to 4.8.6 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- TotalSuite Total Poll Lite WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could modify polls, delete poll data, manipulate voting results, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users can manipulate poll content, alter voting results, or disrupt poll functionality without proper authentication.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication mechanisms in place, only authorized administrators can manage polls as intended.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is publicly documented with proof-of-concept details available. Exploitation requires minimal technical skill.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.8.7 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Total Poll Lite and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 4.8.7 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Total Poll Lite Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate totalpoll-lite
Restrict Access via Web Application Firewall
allBlock unauthorized access to poll management endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the Total Poll Lite plugin immediately
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access the WordPress admin interface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Total Poll Lite version. If version is 4.8.6 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get totalpoll-lite --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Total Poll Lite plugin version is 4.8.7 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with poll-related actions
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful poll modifications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to poll management endpoints from unauthorized IP addresses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("totalpoll" OR "poll") AND ("admin-ajax" OR "wp-admin") AND status=200 AND user="unauthenticated"