Defender Security: Improper Authentication
CVE-2023-47189 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Defender Security from WPMU DEV, 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 Defender Security versions: 4.2.0 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 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Defender to 4.2.1 or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPMU DEV | Defender Security | 4.2.0 and earlier | Not stated |
| Wpmudev | defender_security | 4.2.0 and earlier | Not stated |
| Wpmudev | Defender | before 4.2.1 | 4.2.1 |
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 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (patchstack.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Improper Authentication vulnerability in WPMU DEV Defender Security allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs.This issue affects Defender Security: from n/a through 4.2.0.
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: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Defender Security
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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