CVE-2023-2561Network attack vector

Subscriber-level gallery detachment via unchecked AJAX handler

Published Jul 12, 2023 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Missing authorization in Gallery Metabox 1.5 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to detach gallery images from posts and pages. The gallery_remove AJAX handler passes an untrusted image ID to wp_update_post with post_parent set to zero and performs no capability check. Any subscriber-level account can invoke the authenticated AJAX action and detach arbitrary images, altering post and page galleries.

CVSS severity4.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.41%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authorization in Gallery Metabox 1.5 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to detach gallery images from posts and pages. The gallery_remove AJAX handler passes an untrusted image ID to wp_update_post with post_parent set to zero and performs no capability check. Any subscriber-level account can invoke the authenticated AJAX action and detach arbitrary images, altering post and page galleries.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-2561
Published
Jul 12, 2023
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Bill Erickson
Product
Gallery Metabox
Classifications
CWE-862, T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 12, 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 <=1.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Bill Erickson · Gallery Metaboxversion=0 <=1.5

Published CVSS scores

4.3WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-862Missing Authorization
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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