Subscriber-level code execution via unchecked plugin installation
Published Dec 29, 2023 · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Missing authorization in Qode Essential Addons 1.5.2 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute code by installing a plugin. The install_plugin() function processes an attacker-chosen plugin slug without checking whether the caller can install plugins, enabling unauthorized installation and activation. Subscriber access and a valid REST API nonce are sufficient; activated plugin code can take control of the WordPress site.
Summary
What happened
Missing authorization in Qode Essential Addons 1.5.2 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute code by installing a plugin. The install_plugin() function processes an attacker-chosen plugin slug without checking whether the caller can install plugins, enabling unauthorized installation and activation. Subscriber access and a valid REST API nonce are sufficient; activated plugin code can take control of the WordPress site.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-47840
- Published
- Dec 29, 2023
- Updated
- Apr 28, 2026
- Vendor
- Qode Interactive
- Product
- Qode Essential Addons
- Classifications
- CWE-94, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 29, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 28, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=n/a <=1.5.2 changes=[{"at":"1.5.3","status":"unaffected"}]
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- RandomRobbieBF CVE-2023-47840 proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo