Security Resilience

CVE-2023-40211

Info Disclosure in Pickplugins Post Grid Combo ≤ 2.2.51

Published
30 November 2023
Modified
28 April 2026
CVSS Score v3.1 7.5
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS Score 0.022 82th percentile
Risk Priority 79 floored blend · peak EPSS

CVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.

Summary

CVE-2023-40211 is a high-severity Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor (CWE-200) vulnerability in Pickplugins Post Grid Combo. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 18% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

CVE-2023-40211 is an exposure of sensitive information vulnerability affecting the PickPlugins Post Grid Combo plugin for WordPress, specifically versions through 2.2.50. The flaw, tracked under CWE-200, allows unauthorized actors to access sensitive data and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, and no required privileges or user interaction.

An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the issue over the network to obtain confidential information stored or processed by the plugin. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls that expose data to any party able to reach the affected WordPress instance.

Advisories published on Patchstack document the sensitive-data exposure and identify the affected plugin versions, directing administrators to apply updates once released by the vendor.

EPSS scores for the CVE rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.5275 on 2025-12-11 before receding to the current value of 0.3150, indicating increased exploitation interest after public disclosure.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in PickPlugins Post Grid Combo – 36+ Gutenberg Blocks.This issue affects Post Grid Combo – 36+ Gutenberg Blocks: from n/a through 2.2.50.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-6645Same product: Pickplugins Post Grid Combo
CVE-2023-7072Same product: Pickplugins Post Grid Combo
CVE-2024-13796Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-8253Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-9645Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-13469Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-44002Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-1988Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-6346Same vendor: Pickplugins
CVE-2024-45459Same vendor: Pickplugins

Affected Assets

pickplugins
post grid combo
≤ 2.2.51

Mitigating Controls

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-200

Automated marking applies security attributes to system outputs, making it harder for attackers to exploit unmarked sensitive information leading to unauthorized exposure.

addresses: CWE-200

Proper attribute retention and permitted-value enforcement limits unauthorized actors from accessing sensitive information lacking correct labels.

addresses: CWE-200

Prevents unauthorized exposure of sensitive information by prohibiting untrusted external systems from processing or storing it.

addresses: CWE-200

By enforcing authorization matching prior to sharing, the control reduces the risk of exposing sensitive information to unauthorized actors.

addresses: CWE-200

Review and removal of nonpublic information from publicly accessible systems directly prevents exposure of sensitive data to unauthorized actors.

addresses: CWE-200

Data mining protection mechanisms detect and block unauthorized bulk extraction of sensitive data, directly mitigating exposure to unauthorized actors.

addresses: CWE-200

Literacy training teaches users to recognize and avoid actions that result in unauthorized exposure of sensitive information.

addresses: CWE-200

Retaining and monitoring training records confirms personnel have completed privacy and security awareness training on handling sensitive data, reducing the chance of unauthorized exposure due to lack of knowledge.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

blocks

A.5.10 only requires awareness, a topic-specific acceptable-use policy stating expected behaviours/monitoring, and procedures referencing classification and other controls; per the owner's explicit rule on labelling and similar dependency-style clauses, this does not itself prevent exposure (CWE-200) unless access/DLP/etc. act on it.

blocks

Requiring the return of all physical and electronic assets plus secure deletion of organizational data from personal devices reduces the chance that sensitive information remains accessible to departing personnel.

blocks

A.5.12 only defines and communicates a classification scheme so that protection needs can be understood; per the owner's explicit rule, labeling/classification does not itself prevent exposure and requires other controls (e.g. access enforcement) to act on it.

blocks

By requiring classification labels and metadata on all information assets, the control makes it harder for sensitive data to be inadvertently exposed because downstream systems and users can recognize and enforce handling rules based on those labels.

blocks

Requiring encryption, access controls, and recipient authentication for transfers directly reduces the chance that sensitive data reaches an unauthorized observer.

blocks

Secure delivery, protected storage, and confidentiality of allocation records limit exposure of authentication material to unauthorized observers.

Hardening callouts derived

DISA STIG baselines are authored against specific weaknesses. Where this CVE cites a broad weakness class, the mapping is not asserted at that abstraction (owner ruling, 2026-09-25: grade only at Base and below), so no rule is shown here rather than a rule shown against the wrong grain.

References