Rewterz Threat Update –Threat Actors Target 1 Million Active WordPress Database Plugins

Severity

High

Analysis Summary

A critical severity flaw has been detected in the ‘Better Search Replace’ WordPress plugin, with researchers observing a surge in malicious activity targeting the vulnerability. Better Search Replace, a widely used plugin with over one million installations, facilitates database search and replace operations during website migrations. The plugin’s vendor recently released version 1.4.5 to address a critical PHP object injection vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-6933.

The vulnerability arises from deserializing untrusted input, enabling unauthenticated attackers to inject PHP objects. Successful exploitation could result in various malicious outcomes, including code execution, access to sensitive data, file manipulation, or triggering a denial of service condition. While Better Search Replace itself isn’t directly vulnerable, it can be exploited if other plugins or themes on the same site contain a Property Oriented Programming (POP) chain.

Attackers have swiftly exploited the vulnerability, with reports indicating over 2,500 attacks blocked within 24 hours by WordPress security firm. The flaw affects all Better Search Replace versions up to 1.4.4, necessitating an immediate upgrade to version 1.4.5. Despite the release of the patched version, download statistics on WordPress.org indicate a significant number of users still running potentially vulnerable versions.

Researchers clarify that while the security firm initially used broad rules to detect malicious activity, most attacks are targeting CVE-2023-6933. However, some attempts may involve other vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-25135. 

In conclusion, administrators are strongly urged to promptly update Better Search Replace to version 1.4.5 to mitigate the risk of exploitation and safeguard their WordPress sites against potential compromise.

Impact

• Denial of Service
• Code Execution
• Unauthorized Access
• Loss of Sensitive Information
• Data Manipulation

Indicators of Compromise

CVE

• CVE-2023-6933
• CVE-2023-25135

Remediation

• Refer to WordPress Plugins Directory for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information.
• Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to login processes.
• Regularly monitor network activity for any unusual behavior, as this may indicate that a cyberattack is underway.
• Organizations need to stay vigilant and follow best practices for cybersecurity to protect their systems and data from potential threats. This includes regularly updating software and implementing strong access controls and monitoring tools.
• Develop a comprehensive incident response plan to respond effectively in case of a security breach or data leakage.
• Maintain regular backups of critical data and systems to ensure data recovery in case of a security incident.
• Adhere to security best practices, including the principle of least privilege, and ensure that users and applications have only the necessary permissions.
• Establish a robust patch management process to ensure that security patches are evaluated, tested, and applied promptly.
• Conduct security audits and assessments to evaluate the overall security posture of your systems and networks.
• Implement network segmentation to contain and isolate potential threats to limit their impact on critical systems.