CVE-2023-51375
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WordPress EmbedPress plugin that allows unauthorized users to perform actions they shouldn't be able to. It affects all WordPress sites running EmbedPress versions up to 3.8.3. The vulnerability enables broken access control where users without proper permissions can access restricted functionality.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress EmbedPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Embedpress by Wpdeveloper
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Unauthorized users could modify plugin settings, embed malicious content, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Low-privileged users (like subscribers or contributors) could access administrative functions of the EmbedPress plugin, potentially modifying embed settings or configurations.
If Mitigated
With proper WordPress user role management and network segmentation, impact would be limited to unauthorized access to plugin settings only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires at least subscriber-level access to WordPress. The vulnerability is in authorization checks for plugin functionality.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.8.4 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/embedpress/wordpress-embedpress-plugin-3-8-3-broken-access-control-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find EmbedPress and click 'Update Now'. 4. Alternatively, download version 3.8.4+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable EmbedPress Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate embedpress
Restrict User Roles
allLimit user registrations and review existing user permissions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict WordPress user role management and review all user accounts
- Add web application firewall rules to block suspicious plugin-related requests
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for EmbedPress version. If version is 3.8.3 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get embedpress --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify EmbedPress version shows 3.8.4 or higher in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to EmbedPress admin endpoints
- Users with low privileges accessing /wp-admin/admin.php?page=embedpress
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to EmbedPress admin endpoints from non-admin users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("embedpress" AND "admin.php") AND NOT user_role="administrator"