CVE-2023-27451
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the Darren Cooney Instant Images WordPress plugin. It allows authenticated attackers to make arbitrary HTTP requests from the vulnerable server, potentially accessing internal systems. WordPress sites using Instant Images plugin version 5.1.0.2 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Darren Cooney Instant Images WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
Instant Images by Connekthq
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could access internal services, exfiltrate sensitive data, or pivot to internal network systems, potentially leading to full network compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers scan internal networks, access metadata services (like AWS/Azure instance metadata), or perform port scanning of internal systems.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and egress filtering, impact is limited to the web server's network segment.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated WordPress user access. Public proof-of-concept code is available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.1.0.3
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Instant Images plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 5.1.0.3+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the Instant Images plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate instant-images
Restrict User Roles
allLimit plugin access to trusted administrators only.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network egress filtering to restrict outbound HTTP requests from web servers
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SSRF patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Instant Images version. If version is 5.1.0.2 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get instant-images --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 5.1.0.3 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual outbound HTTP requests from web server to internal IPs
- Requests to metadata services (169.254.169.254, 169.254.170.2)
- Multiple HTTP requests to unusual ports from same user session
Network Indicators:
- Web server making HTTP requests to internal network segments
- Requests to cloud metadata endpoints from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (dest_ip=169.254.169.254 OR dest_ip=169.254.170.2 OR dest_ip IN [internal_ranges]) AND user_agent LIKE "%WordPress%"🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/instant-images/wordpress-instant-images-5-1-0-1-auth-server-side-request-forgery-ssrf-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/instant-images/wordpress-instant-images-5-1-0-1-auth-server-side-request-forgery-ssrf-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
