UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress…: Unverified Password Change
CVE-2023-2449 is a critical-severity unverified password change vulnerability in UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin versions: 5.1.1 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.89% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 60% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin | UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin | 5.1.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| Userproplugin | Userpro | 5.1.1 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (wordfence.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
The UserPro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized password resets in versions up to, and including 5.1.1. This is due to the plugin using native password reset functionality, with insufficient validation on the password reset function (userpro_process_form). The function uses the plaintext value of a password reset key instead of a hashed value which means it can easily be retrieved and subsequently used. An attacker can leverage CVE-2023-2448 and CVE-2023-2446, or another vulnerability like SQL Injection in another plugin or theme installed on the site to successfully exploit this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unverified Password Change
When setting a new password for a user, the product does not require knowledge of the original password, or using another form of authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When prompting for a password change, force the user to provide the original password in addition to the new password.
- Do not use forgotten password functionality. But if you must, ensure that you are only providing information to the actual user, e.g. by using an email address or challenge question that the legitimate user already provided in the past; do not allow the current user to change this identity information until the correct password has been provided.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/de9be7bc-4f8a-4393-8ebb-1b1f141b7585?source=cveThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/175871/WordPress-UserPro-5.1.x-Password-Reset-Authentication-Bypass-Escalation…Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
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