EUVD-2023-58242

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2023-58242

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

The vulnerability EUVD-2023-58242 pertains to a server-side request forgery (SSRF) issue in the WPB Show Core WordPress plugin through version 2.2. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) base score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level. The scoring vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H breaks down as follows:

• Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
• Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal complexity.
• Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No special privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
• User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required.
• Scope (S): Unchanged (U) - The vulnerability does not change the security scope.
• Confidentiality (C): High (H) - There is a high impact on confidentiality.
• Integrity (I): High (H) - There is a high impact on integrity.
• Availability (A): High (H) - There is a high impact on availability.

Given the high scores in confidentiality, integrity, and availability, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to affected systems.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

SSRF vulnerabilities allow an attacker to induce the server-side application to make HTTP requests to an arbitrary domain chosen by the attacker. In this case, the path parameter in the WPB Show Core plugin is vulnerable. Potential attack vectors include:

• Internal Network Scanning: An attacker could use the SSRF vulnerability to scan internal networks, potentially discovering and exploiting other internal services.
• Data Exfiltration: The attacker could retrieve sensitive data from internal services or databases.
• Service Interruption: The attacker could cause denial-of-service (DoS) conditions by overwhelming internal services with requests.
• Bypassing Firewalls: The attacker could bypass firewall restrictions by making requests that appear to originate from the vulnerable server.

Exploitation methods might involve crafting malicious HTTP requests that manipulate the path parameter to target internal or external resources.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

The vulnerability affects the WPB Show Core WordPress plugin versions from 0 up to and including 2.2. Any WordPress site using this plugin within the specified version range is at risk.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:

• Update the Plugin: Immediately update the WPB Show Core plugin to a version higher than 2.2 if an update is available.
• Input Validation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization for the path parameter to prevent malicious requests.
• Network Segmentation: Use network segmentation to isolate critical services and reduce the potential impact of SSRF attacks.
• Monitoring and Logging: Enhance monitoring and logging to detect and respond to suspicious activities related to SSRF.
• Web Application Firewalls (WAF): Deploy WAFs to filter out malicious requests and protect against SSRF attacks.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

The European cybersecurity landscape is significantly impacted by this vulnerability due to the widespread use of WordPress and its plugins. Organizations and individuals using the WPB Show Core plugin are at risk of data breaches, service disruptions, and potential compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. The high EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) score of 62 indicates a high likelihood of exploitation in the wild.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

For security professionals, the following technical details are pertinent:

• Vulnerable Parameter: The path parameter in the WPB Show Core plugin is the entry point for the SSRF vulnerability.
• Exploitation: Crafting HTTP requests with manipulated path values can lead to unauthorized access to internal resources.
• Detection: Monitor for unusual outbound requests from the server hosting the vulnerable plugin. Look for patterns indicating internal network scanning or data exfiltration.
• Response: Implement incident response plans that include isolating affected systems, patching the vulnerability, and conducting a thorough review of logs to identify any potential breaches.

Conclusion

EUVD-2023-58242 represents a critical SSRF vulnerability in the WPB Show Core WordPress plugin. Organizations must prioritize updating the plugin and implementing robust security measures to mitigate the risk. The high severity and potential impact underscore the importance of proactive cybersecurity practices in the European landscape.

References

• WPScan Vulnerability Report
• Aliases: CVE-2023-5974, GSD-2023-5974
• Assigner: WPScan
• ENISA ID Product: 8286f370-b3c7-3f11-9866-f1ac26c183a7
• ENISA ID Vendor: be9eeb15-194d-365d-9d2d-8ee87ad259bb