CVE-2023-6421
Published: 01 January 2024
Summary
CVE-2023-6421 is a high-severity Insufficiently Protected Credentials (CWE-522) vulnerability in W3Eden Download Manager. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 0.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
The Download Manager WordPress plugin before version 3.2.83 is affected by an information disclosure vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-6421. The flaw, assigned CWE-522, stems from insufficient protection of passwords used to restrict file downloads; submitting an invalid password causes the valid password to be leaked in the response. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5, reflecting network-accessible exploitation with no required authentication or user interaction and a high impact on confidentiality.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can trigger the flaw simply by requesting a password-protected download with an incorrect password value. Successful exploitation reveals the correct password, allowing the attacker to bypass the intended access control and retrieve the protected files.
The vulnerability is detailed in the WPScan advisory referenced at https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/244c7c00-fc8d-4a73-bbe0-7865c621d410, which identifies the affected plugin versions and the conditions under which the password leak occurs. The current EPSS score of 0.8236, with a peak of 0.8244, indicates sustained exploitation interest without a material rise from a low baseline.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-58658
Vulnerability details
The Download Manager WordPress plugin before 3.2.83 does not protect file download's passwords, leaking it upon receiving an invalid one.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Unauthenticated exploitation of public-facing WordPress plugin (T1190) enables leakage of protected file download passwords, facilitating access to unsecured credentials (T1552).
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.
Training instructs users on protecting credentials from disclosure or unauthorized access.
Training records for security awareness and role-based training verify education on credential protection practices, tangibly reducing risks from mishandling or exposing credentials.
Protecting authenticator content from unauthorized disclosure and modification while requiring protective controls addresses insufficiently protected credentials.
Rules of behavior include credential protection and non-sharing requirements, reducing exposure of insufficiently protected credentials.
Terminating or revoking credentials stops use of insufficiently protected or lingering credentials post-termination.
Requiring confidentiality/integrity protection for stored credentials directly mitigates insufficiently protected credentials on disk or in configuration stores.
Credentials or keys delivered out-of-band are not exposed to interception or inadequate protection on the main transport.