CVE-2023-47187
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WordPress Animated Rotating Words plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access controls. It affects all versions up to and including 5.4, potentially enabling unauthorized actions on WordPress sites using this plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Animated Rotating Words 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 plugin settings, inject malicious content, or potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could change rotating word animations, modify display settings, or inject benign but unwanted content into affected sites.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, the vulnerability would be prevented from being exploited.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability involves missing authorization checks, making exploitation straightforward once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 5.4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Animated Rotating Words'
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If no update is available, deactivate and remove the plugin
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Animated Rotating Words plugin until a patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate css3-rotating-words
Implement web application firewall rules
allBlock unauthorized access to plugin administration endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Animated Rotating Words plugin completely from the WordPress installation
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized access attempts to plugin endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Animated Rotating Words' with version 5.4 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get css3-rotating-words --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 5.4 or the plugin is completely removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin-specific actions
- Unexpected modifications to rotating words settings
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to plugin-specific endpoints without proper authentication headers
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND action CONTAINS "rotating_words") AND user="-"