CVE-2023-38480
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the Booster Elementor Addons WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access controls. Attackers could potentially access functionality they shouldn't have permission to use. This affects WordPress sites using Booster Elementor Addons versions up to 1.4.9.
💻 Affected Systems
- Booster Elementor Addons (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 gain administrative privileges, modify site content, install malicious plugins/themes, or access sensitive data.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could access restricted plugin functionality, potentially modifying widget settings or accessing limited administrative features.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, the vulnerability would be prevented from being exploited.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to the WordPress site, but authorization checks are missing for certain functionality.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.5.0 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Booster Elementor Addons'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, download version 1.5.0+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Booster Elementor Addons plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate booster-for-elementor
Restrict plugin access
allUse WordPress role management plugins to restrict access to the plugin's functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access the WordPress admin interface
- Enable WordPress security plugins that monitor for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Booster Elementor Addons → Version. If version is 1.4.9 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get booster-for-elementor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the plugin version shows 1.5.0 or higher in WordPress admin.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to plugin-specific endpoints
- Unusual user activity from non-admin accounts accessing plugin functionality
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with booster-related actions from unauthorized users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="*admin-ajax.php*" AND query="*booster*" OR query="*elementor*" AND user_role!="administrator")