CVE-2023-4488 – This vulnerability in Dropbox Folder Share for ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-4488?

CVE-2023-4488 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability in Dropbox Folder Share for WordPress allows unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server via the editor-view.php file. This can lead to remote code execution, data theft, and complete system compromise. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Dropbox Folder Share for WordPress allows unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server via the editor-view.php file. This can lead to remote code execution, data theft, and complete system compromise. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Dropbox Folder Share for WordPress

Versions: All versions up to and including 1.9.7

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin version are affected regardless of configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Dropbox Folder Share by Hynotech

View all CVEs affecting Dropbox Folder Share →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete server takeover with attacker gaining full control, installing backdoors, stealing sensitive data, and using the server for further attacks.

🟠

Likely Case

Remote code execution leading to website defacement, data exfiltration, or installation of cryptocurrency miners/malware.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper file upload restrictions and web application firewalls are in place, though LFI could still expose sensitive files.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Simple LFI vulnerability with public proof-of-concept available; trivial to exploit by attackers.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Version 1.9.8 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/dropbox-folder-share/trunk/HynoTech/UsosGenerales/js/editor-view.php?rev=2904670

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find Dropbox Folder Share. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.9.8+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable plugin

all

Temporarily disable the Dropbox Folder Share plugin until patched

wp plugin deactivate dropbox-folder-share

Restrict file access

linux

Add .htaccess rules to block access to editor-view.php

<Files "editor-view.php">
  Order Allow,Deny
  Deny from all
</Files>

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Remove the Dropbox Folder Share plugin completely from your WordPress installation
Implement web application firewall rules to block requests to editor-view.php with file inclusion parameters

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Dropbox Folder Share version. If version is 1.9.7 or lower, you are vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin get dropbox-folder-share --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify plugin version is 1.9.8 or higher in WordPress admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/dropbox-folder-share/HynoTech/UsosGenerales/js/editor-view.php with file parameters
Unusual PHP file execution in plugin directory

Network Indicators:

Requests containing file inclusion patterns like '?file=' or '../' in URL parameters

SIEM Query:

source="web_logs" AND url="*editor-view.php*" AND (url="*file=*" OR url="*../*")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-4488

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-829

Published: October 20, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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