CVE-2023-48774
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the IdeaPush WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects all IdeaPush plugin versions before the fix, potentially allowing unauthorized users to perform actions reserved for authenticated users. WordPress sites using the vulnerable IdeaPush plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress IdeaPush Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Ideapush by Northernbeacheswebsites
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could modify or delete user ideas, votes, or plugin settings, potentially disrupting the entire idea management system or defacing content.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could submit, edit, or delete ideas and votes they shouldn't have access to, compromising the integrity of the idea management system.
If Mitigated
With proper authorization checks, only authenticated users with appropriate permissions can perform actions within their authorized scope.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of WordPress plugin structure and API endpoints, but the vulnerability is in access control logic which is typically straightforward to exploit once identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 8.53
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/ideapush/vulnerability/wordpress-ideapush-plugin-8-53-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find IdeaPush plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 8.53+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable IdeaPush Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ideapush
Restrict Plugin Access
linuxUse web application firewall or .htaccess to restrict access to plugin files
# Add to .htaccess: <FilesMatch "ideapush\.php$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network-level restrictions to limit access to WordPress admin and plugin endpoints
- Enable detailed logging for all IdeaPush plugin activities and monitor for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for IdeaPush version. If version is below 8.53, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get ideapush --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify IdeaPush plugin version is 8.53 or higher in WordPress admin panel. Test plugin functionality to ensure authorization checks are working.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to IdeaPush API endpoints
- Multiple failed authorization attempts for IdeaPush functions
- Unexpected modifications to ideas or votes from unauthenticated IPs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/ideapush/ endpoints from unauthorized users
- Unusual spike in API calls to IdeaPush endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("ideapush" OR "idea-push") AND (status=200 OR status=403) AND user="-"