#VU82018 Improper access control in WordPress - CVE-2023-39999

Vulnerability identifier: #VU82018

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 1.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-39999

CWE-ID: CWE-284

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
WordPress
Web applications / CMS

Vendor: WordPress.ORG

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote user to gain unauthorized access to otherwise restricted functionality.

The vulnerability exists due to improper access restrictions. A remote user can bypass implemented security restrictions and read comments on private and password protected posts.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

WordPress: 4.1 - 4.1.38, 4.2 - 4.2.35, 4.3 - 4.3.31, 4.4 - 4.4.30, 4.5 - 4.5.29, 4.6 - 4.6.26, 4.7 - 4.7.26, 4.8 - 4.8.22, 4.9 - 4.9.23, 5.0 - 5.0.19, 5.1 - 5.1.16, 5.2 - 5.2.18, 5.3 - 5.3.15, 5.4 - 5.4.13, 5.5 - 5.5.12, 5.6 - 5.6.11, 5.7 - 5.7.9, 5.8 beta 1 - 5.8.7, 5.9 - 5.9.7, 6.0 - 6.0.5, 6.1 - 6.1.3, 6.2 - 6.2.2, 6.3 - 6.3.1

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External links
https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wordpress/wordpress-wordpress-core-core-6-3-2-contributor-comment-read-on-private-and-password-protected-post-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
https://patchstack.com/articles/wordpress-core-6-3-2-security-update-technical-advisory?_s_id=cve
https://wordpress.org/news/2023/10/wordpress-6-3-2-maintenance-and-security-release/

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated user via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.