CVE-2023-6091
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to upload arbitrary files to WordPress sites using the Theme Editor plugin. It affects all WordPress installations with Theme Editor plugin versions up to 2.7.1, potentially leading to remote code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- mndpsingh287 Theme Editor 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
Complete server compromise via webshell upload leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or site defacement.
Likely Case
Unauthorized file upload leading to backdoor installation, malware distribution, or privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
File upload attempts blocked by security controls with no successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access to WordPress admin panel. Public exploit code exists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.7.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/theme-editor/wordpress-theme-editor-plugin-2-7-1-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Theme Editor plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.7.2+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Theme Editor Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate theme-editor
Restrict File Uploads via .htaccess
linuxBlock execution of uploaded files in upload directories
<FilesMatch "\.(php|php5|php7|phtml|phar)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Theme Editor plugin completely from WordPress installation
- Implement web application firewall rules to block file uploads to vulnerable endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Theme Editor version. If version is 2.7.1 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get theme-editor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Theme Editor plugin version is 2.7.2 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to wp-content/plugins/theme-editor directories
- POST requests to theme editor endpoints with file upload parameters
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests containing file uploads to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with theme-editor actions
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="*admin-ajax.php*" AND post_data="*theme-editor*" AND post_data="*upload*" AND post_data="*.php*")