CVE-2023-30873
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WP Docs WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls and access restricted content or functionality. All WordPress sites running WP Docs versions up to 1.9.8 are affected. The vulnerability stems from improper access control configuration that fails to verify user permissions.
💻 Affected Systems
- WP Docs WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Wp Docs by Androidbubble
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Unauthorized users could access sensitive documents, modify content, or perform administrative actions depending on the plugin's functionality and configuration.
Likely Case
Attackers could view or download restricted documents that should only be accessible to authorized users, potentially exposing confidential information.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, the impact would be limited to attempted unauthorized access that gets blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.9.9 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/wp-docs/vulnerability/wordpress-wp-docs-plugin-1-9-8-broken-access-control?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WP Docs plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.9.9+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WP Docs Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wp-docs
Restrict Access via .htaccess
linuxAdd access restrictions to WP Docs plugin directories
# Add to .htaccess in wp-content/plugins/wp-docs/
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious access patterns to WP Docs endpoints
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to document-related functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → WP Docs version. If version is 1.9.8 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get wp-docs --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WP Docs plugin version is 1.9.9 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed authorization attempts for document access
- Unauthorized users accessing /wp-content/plugins/wp-docs/ paths
- Suspicious GET/POST requests to WP Docs endpoints
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to WP Docs plugin URLs from unauthorized IPs
- Requests bypassing normal authentication flows
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("wp-docs" OR "wp-content/plugins/wp-docs") AND (response_code=200 OR response_code=403) AND user="unauthenticated"