CVE-2023-3139 Scanner

Protect WP Admin is a popular WordPress plugin designed to enhance the security of WordPress websites by limiting access to the WordPress admin login page. It is frequently used by website administrators to prevent unauthorized login attempts and conceal the standard WordPress login page URL. By allowing site owners to customize their login URLs, the plugin aims to deter automated attacks and improve overall site security. This tool is especially critical for websites with high traffic volumes or those prone to brute force attacks. The plugin integrates seamlessly into WordPress, providing easy setup and configuration assistance. The intent is to offer a more secure WordPress environment with minimal configuration.

The vulnerability detected involves an Open Redirect issue, which can allow attackers to redirect users to arbitrary domains by crafting a specific URL. This type of vulnerability occurs when untrusted input is used to create a redirection URL, thereby facilitating potential phishing attacks. Unauthorized redirection could lead users to malicious websites that can trick them into divulging personal information or installing malware. The vulnerability affects versions of Protect WP Admin prior to 4.0, whereby redirection protection could be bypassed. As redirections usually do not check the destination in such configurations, attackers can exploit this feature maliciously. This vulnerability allows for considerable exploitation, risking user data and security.

The technical details of this vulnerability revolve around the improper handling of URL redirection in the Protect WP Admin plugin. It specifically affects the 'action=lostpassword' parameter in the URL, which can be manipulated to redirect to unintended destinations. When the crafted URL is visited, the plugin fails to verify if the URL is part of legitimate redirections. The GET request sends users to an arbitrary URL via HTTP 301 status code, confirming the redirect's occurrence. This bypass can expose the users and systems to malicious actors who have crafted specific redirections for exploitation. Proper input validation and ensuring legitimate redirect endpoints are essential to address this flaw.

When malicious actors exploit this vulnerability, potential effects include users being redirected to phishing sites without their knowledge. This can result in data breaches where sensitive user information is harvested by attackers. The exploitation of this vulnerability can significantly diminish trust in a website and expose visitors to further cyber threats by navigating them to harmful websites. Security disruptions could lead to data integrity issues and unapproved data access. Continuous exploitation could also damage the website's reputation, harming business interests and user relationships. Responsive measures are required to stop redirects to unauthorized domains to prevent exploitation.

REFERENCES

• https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/f8a29aee-19cd-4e62-b829-afc9107f69bd/
• https://magos-securitas.com/txt/CVE-2023-3139.txt