CVE-2021-4373Network attack vector

Settings overwrite via optional import nonce validation

Published Jun 7, 2023 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Cross-site request forgery in Better Search 2.5.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to import settings through a forged administrator request. The import handler in includes/admin/tools.php verifies bsearch_import_settings_nonce only when that parameter is present, so omitting it bypasses request validation. A site administrator must be authenticated and induced to submit the forged request, which lets the attacker replace the plugin's settings.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cross-site request forgery in Better Search 2.5.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to import settings through a forged administrator request. The import handler in includes/admin/tools.php verifies bsearch_import_settings_nonce only when that parameter is present, so omitting it bypasses request validation. A site administrator must be authenticated and induced to submit the forged request, which lets the attacker replace the plugin's settings.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-4373
Published
Jun 7, 2023
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Ajay D'Souza
Product
Better Search
Classifications
CWE-352, CWE-288
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2.5.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Ajay D'Souza · Better Searchversion=0 <2.5.3

Published CVSS scores

8.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-352Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CWE-288Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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