CVE-2023-49156
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in GoDaddy's Email Marketing WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. It affects all WordPress sites using GoDaddy Email Marketing plugin versions up to 1.4.3. Attackers could exploit this to perform unauthorized actions within the plugin's functionality.
💻 Affected Systems
- GoDaddy Email Marketing Sign-up Forms 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 manipulate email marketing campaigns, access subscriber data, modify forms, or potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify email marketing settings, access subscriber lists, or tamper with sign-up forms without proper authentication.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, only authorized administrators could perform email marketing functions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to the WordPress site but bypasses authorization checks within the plugin.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.4 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'GoDaddy Email Marketing Sign-up Forms'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.4.4+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate godaddy-email-marketing-sign-up-forms
Restrict Access
allUse web application firewall rules to restrict access to plugin endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate WordPress installation
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to plugin endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for GoDaddy Email Marketing versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get godaddy-email-marketing-sign-up-forms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.4.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin-specific actions
- Unexpected modifications to email marketing settings
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax endpoints with plugin parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("godaddy-email-marketing" OR "admin-ajax.php") AND (status=403 OR user_agent NOT IN allowed_list)