CVE-2023-5089 Scanner

The Defender Security WordPress Plugin is widely used by website administrators to enhance security on WordPress sites. With features aimed at blocking unauthorized access and protecting against threats, it serves developers, bloggers, and businesses keen on safeguarding their online presence. The plugin is especially popular among WordPress users due to its ability to provide advanced security configurations. It is user-friendly and offers functionalities like monitoring blocked access attempts and running security audits. The plugin supports different configurations tailored to the security needs of each website. This makes it invaluable for maintaining a secure WordPress environment.

The vulnerability in question is a Protection Bypass flaw found in the Defender Security WordPress Plugin versions before 4.1.0. It allows unauthenticated visitors to access the login page through a redirect, even when the login page is set to be hidden. This problem arises due to insufficient handling of redirects that expose the login URL via the WordPress auth_redirect function. The resultant exposure allows unauthorized users to potentially identify and access hidden admin login pages. Addressing this vulnerability is critical for maintaining a secure WordPress deployment, particularly for sites relying on hidden login features.

The technical core of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of the auth_redirect function within the plugin, which is supposed to safeguard login page visibility. When a login page is hidden using the plugin, faulty logic enables redirection attempts to circumvent the concealment by exploiting URL parameters. A specific URL string allows detection of the hidden login page and allows access, disregarding the security functionality intended by the plugin's settings. This exploitation requires minimal technical skill because the bypass does not necessitate additional authentication or sophisticated attacks, thereby broadening the risk profile for affected sites.

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in unauthorized users accessing sensitive administrative login pages, which are intended to be concealed. The key possible effect is an increased risk of unauthorized entry attempts by attackers, who may then leverage brute force or other attack methodologies on these revealed endpoints. Additionally, any site-specific configurations resting on the assumption of a hidden login page may become obsolete, inadvertently weakening the overall security posture. Successful exploitation can therefore compromise administrative controls and overall site integrity.

REFERENCES

• https://www.sprocketsecurity.com/resources/discovering-wp-admin-urls-in-wordpress-with-gravityforms
• https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/2b547488-187b-44bc-a57d-f876a7d4c87d/
• https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-5089