Essential Addons for Elementor: Improper Authentication
CVE-2023-32243 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Essential Addons for Elementor from Wpdeveloper, 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 Essential Addons for Elementor versions: 5.4.0 through 5.7.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 75.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.48% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Check which version of Essential Addons for Elementor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPDeveloper | Essential Addons for Elementor | 5.4.0 through 5.7.1 | 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 (patchstack.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Improper Authentication vulnerability in WPDeveloper Essential Addons for Elementor allows Privilege Escalation. This issue affects Essential Addons for Elementor: from 5.4.0 through 5.7.1.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/172457/WordPress-Elementor-Lite-5.7.1-Arbitrary-Password-Reset.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- patchstack.com/articles/critical-privilege-escalation-in-essential-addons-for-elementor-plugin-affecting-1-mi…Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Essential Addons for Elementor
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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