CVE-2023-6294
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Popup Builder WordPress plugin allows administrators in Multisite WordPress configurations to perform Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks. The plugin fails to validate a parameter before making external requests, enabling attackers to make requests to internal systems. Only WordPress Multisite installations with the vulnerable plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Popup Builder WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Administrator could use SSRF to access internal services, potentially leading to data exfiltration, internal network reconnaissance, or chaining with other vulnerabilities for further compromise.
Likely Case
Malicious administrator or compromised admin account could probe internal network services, potentially accessing metadata services or internal APIs.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and admin account controls, impact is limited to the web server's network perspective.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires administrator privileges in WordPress Multisite. Public proof-of-concept exists in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.2.6
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/eaeb5706-b19c-4266-b7df-889558ee2614/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Popup Builder plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 4.2.6+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the Popup Builder plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate popup-builder
Restrict Admin Access
allImplement strict access controls for administrator accounts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove administrator privileges from untrusted users in WordPress Multisite
- Implement network segmentation to restrict web server access to internal services
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Popup Builder version. If version is below 4.2.6 and WordPress is Multisite, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get popup-builder --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Popup Builder plugin version is 4.2.6 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual outbound HTTP requests from web server to internal IP addresses
- Requests to metadata services (169.254.169.254) or localhost
Network Indicators:
- Web server making unexpected HTTP requests to internal network segments
- Requests to non-standard ports from web application
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (dst_ip IN (RFC1918, localhost) OR dst_port NOT IN (80,443)) AND http_user_agent CONTAINS "WordPress"