CVE-2023-45269Network attack vector

SEO data and sitemap changes via missing nonces

Published Oct 13, 2023 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

CSRF in David Cole Simple SEO 2.0.25 and earlier allows remote attackers to alter SEO data and sitemaps through forged requests. Multiple admin_post handlers accept state-changing requests without validating a WordPress nonce, permitting SEO imports and sitemap generation or deletion. Exploitation requires an authenticated administrator to follow an attacker-controlled link or otherwise submit the forged request, and the resulting changes are limited to imported SEO content and sitemap state.

CVSS severity5.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.19%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

CSRF in David Cole Simple SEO 2.0.25 and earlier allows remote attackers to alter SEO data and sitemaps through forged requests. Multiple admin_post handlers accept state-changing requests without validating a WordPress nonce, permitting SEO imports and sitemap generation or deletion. Exploitation requires an authenticated administrator to follow an attacker-controlled link or otherwise submit the forged request, and the resulting changes are limited to imported SEO content and sitemap state.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-45269
Published
Oct 13, 2023
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
David Cole
Product
Simple SEO
Classifications
CWE-352, T1204.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 13, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 28, 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=n/a <=2.0.25 changes=[{"at":"2.0.26","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

David Cole · Simple SEOversion=n/a <=2.0.25 changes=[{"at":"2.0.26","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

5.4WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L

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)
T1204.001Malicious Link

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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