HIGH CVSS 8.8
Published: 2023-10-28

CVE-2023-5425

wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager Security Advisory (CVE-2023-5425)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2023-5425 impacting wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 8.8 (HIGH).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
The Post Meta Data Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the pmdm_wp_change_user_meta and pmdm_wp_change_post_meta functions in versions up to, and including, 1.2.0. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to gain elevated (e.g., administrator) privileges.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
Low (PR:L)
Standard user access required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
High (I:H)
Total modification of target system
Availability
High (A:H)
Total denial of service or shutdown

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product wpexpertplugins / post_meta_data_manager
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-862

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2023-5425 impacting wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2023-5425.yaml
id: cve-2023-5425

info:
  name: wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: high
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2023-5425 affecting wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager.
    Evaluation: The Post Meta Data Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the pmdm_wp_ch...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2023-5425
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    cvss-score: 8.8
    cve-id: CVE-2023-5425
    cwe-id: CWE-862
  tags: cve,cve-2023-5425,wpexpertplugins,post_meta_data_manager,high

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "post_meta_data_manager"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2023-5425.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2023-5425
# Target: wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager | CVSS: 8.8 (HIGH)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2023-5425 (wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2023-5425.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2023-5425
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install post_meta_data_manager 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade post_meta_data_manager 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update post_meta_data_manager

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i post_meta_data_manager 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i post_meta_data_manager

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2023-5425 in wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update wpexpertplugins post_meta_data_manager packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2023-5425?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2023-5425?

CVE-2023-5425 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 8.8 (HIGH). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
8.8
HIGH SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2023-5425
Weakness CWE-862
Vendor wpexpertplugins
Product post_meta_data_manager
Published 2023-10-28
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H