CVE-2023-51482
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Eazy Plugin Manager for WordPress allows attackers with subscriber-level access to bypass authentication and update arbitrary plugin options, potentially leading to remote code execution. It affects all versions up to and including 4.1.2. WordPress sites using this plugin are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Eazy Plugin Manager (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
Full site compromise through remote code execution, allowing attackers to install backdoors, deface websites, steal data, or use the server for malicious activities.
Likely Case
Attackers gain administrative privileges, modify site content, inject malicious code, or install additional malicious plugins/themes.
If Mitigated
Attackers can only access subscriber-level functionality if proper access controls and monitoring are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires subscriber-level access. Public proof-of-concept demonstrates RCE through arbitrary options update.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.1.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Eazy Plugin Manager' and click 'Update Now'. 4. If update not available, deactivate and delete plugin, then install fresh version 4.1.3+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate Eazy Plugin Manager to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate plugins-on-steroids
Restrict User Registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attackers from obtaining subscriber accounts
Set WordPress Settings → General → Membership to 'Anyone can register' = UNCHECKED
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit WordPress admin access to trusted IPs only
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for user role changes and plugin option modifications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Eazy Plugin Manager version ≤4.1.2Check Version:
wp plugin get plugins-on-steroids --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Eazy Plugin Manager version is 4.1.3 or higher in WordPress plugins list📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized plugin option updates by subscriber users
- Unexpected user role escalation events
- wp_options table modifications from non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin-related actions from non-admin IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("update_option" OR "plugin_on_steroids") AND user_role="subscriber"🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/plugins-on-steroids/wordpress-eazy-plugin-manager-plugin-4-1-2-subscriber-arbitrary-options-update-lead-to-rce-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/plugins-on-steroids/wordpress-eazy-plugin-manager-plugin-4-1-2-subscriber-arbitrary-options-update-lead-to-rce-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
