CVE-2023-47771
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Essential Grid WordPress plugin by ThemePunch OHG. It allows authenticated users to perform actions they shouldn't have permission for, potentially modifying content or settings. All WordPress sites using Essential Grid versions up to 3.0.18 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- ThemePunch OHG Essential Grid 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
Authenticated attackers could modify plugin settings, inject malicious content, or potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire WordPress site.
Likely Case
Authenticated users (including low-privilege accounts) could modify grid content, change settings, or access restricted administrative functions.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and user role management, impact is limited to authorized users only performing intended actions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access to WordPress. The vulnerability is in access control logic, making exploitation straightforward once authenticated.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.0.19 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Essential Grid and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Essential Grid Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate essential-grid
Restrict User Access
allLimit authenticated user accounts and review user permissions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user role management and review all authenticated user accounts
- Monitor plugin activity logs for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Essential Grid version. If version is 3.0.18 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get essential-grid --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Essential Grid version is 3.0.19 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to Essential Grid admin functions
- Unexpected modifications to grid content or settings
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to Essential Grid admin endpoints from non-admin users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("essential-grid" OR "essential_grid") AND ("admin" OR "ajax" OR "save") AND user_role!="administrator"🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/essential-grid/wordpress-essential-grid-plugin-3-0-18-multiple-authenticated-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/essential-grid/wordpress-essential-grid-plugin-3-0-18-multiple-authenticated-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
