CVE-2023-4142
Published: 04 August 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-4142 is a high-severity Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in Smackcoders Wp Ultimate Csv Importer. Its CVSS base score is 8.0 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 9.1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
The WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to remote code execution in versions up to and including 7.9.8. The flaw exists in the handling of the cus1 parameter within ImportHelpers.php and stems from insufficient restrictions on code generation, corresponding to CWE-94. Successful exploitation requires the plugin to have been configured by an administrator to allow imports by lower-privileged users.
An authenticated attacker holding at least author-level access can supply a crafted import file that results in arbitrary code execution on the server when the import runs. The attack is performed over the network but carries high attack complexity and requires the administrator to have previously enabled the necessary permissions in the plugin settings; impact includes full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise within the affected WordPress instance.
The vendor addressed the issue in subsequent releases by removing the ability for authors and editors to perform imports, as noted in the plugin changelog and Wordfence advisory. Site administrators retain the capability to import files, leaving the remote code execution path open for that role; users are advised to exercise caution when operating the plugin.
EPSS scores have remained low and stable near 0.06 with no material increase after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-54023
Vulnerability details
The WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions up to, and including, 7.9.8 via the '->cus1' parameter. This allows authenticated attackers with author-level permissions or above, if the administrator previously grants access…
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in the plugin settings, to execute code on the server. The author resolved this vulnerability by removing the ability for authors and editors to import files, please note that this means remote code execution is still possible for site administrators, use the plugin with caution.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
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.
Makes persistent code injection into loaded programs impossible when the executable image itself resides on hardware-protected read-only media.
Dynamically generated code can be produced and executed inside the isolated chamber, preventing host compromise from code-injection payloads.
Validates inputs used in dynamic code generation to block injected directives.
Directly prevents execution of attacker-supplied code written into data memory regions.