CVE-2023-6567 – This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attac... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-6567?

CVE-2023-6567 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the LearnPress plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information by manipulating the 'order_by' parameter. All WordPress sites with LearnPress versions up to 4.2.5.7 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the LearnPress plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information by manipulating the 'order_by' parameter. All WordPress sites with LearnPress versions up to 4.2.5.7 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

WordPress LearnPress plugin

Versions: All versions up to and including 4.2.5.7

Operating Systems: All

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects all WordPress installations with vulnerable LearnPress versions regardless of configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Learnpress by Thimpress

View all CVEs affecting Learnpress →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete database compromise including user credentials, payment information, and sensitive site data leading to full site takeover.

🟠

Likely Case

Extraction of user data, admin credentials, and potentially sensitive plugin-specific information from the database.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited information disclosure if database permissions are properly restricted and WAF blocks injection attempts.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: LOW

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Time-based SQL injection requires no authentication and has public proof-of-concept available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 4.2.5.8 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3013957/learnpress

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find LearnPress and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 4.2.5.8 or higher.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Temporary plugin deactivation

all

Disable LearnPress plugin until patched

wp plugin deactivate learnpress

WAF rule implementation

all

Block SQL injection patterns in 'order_by' parameter

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection
Restrict database user permissions to minimum required

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check LearnPress version in WordPress admin panel under Plugins → Installed Plugins

Check Version:

wp plugin get learnpress --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm LearnPress version is 4.2.5.8 or higher after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL errors in WordPress logs
Multiple requests with 'order_by' parameter variations
Long response times on LearnPress pages

Network Indicators:

SQL injection patterns in HTTP parameters
SLEEP() or BENCHMARK() functions in requests

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress.log" AND ("order_by" AND (SLEEP OR BENCHMARK OR WAITFOR))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-6567

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-89

Published: January 11, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3013957/learnpress Third Party Advisory
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/6ab578cd-3a0b-43d3-aaa7-0a01f431a4e2?source=cve Third Party Advisory
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3013957/learnpress Third Party Advisory
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/6ab578cd-3a0b-43d3-aaa7-0a01f431a4e2?source=cve Third Party Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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