Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects WordPress sites running MainWP Maintenance Extension 4.1.1 or earlier. A low-privileged authenticated user, such as a subscriber, may trigger SQL injection. The main business risk is unauthorized database access, with some availability impact. The source bundle does not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for internet-facing WordPress sites using this extension, especially sites allowing subscriber accounts. This is high severity because database exposure can affect customer, operational, or credential-adjacent data, but the available sources do not confirm active exploitation.
Technical view
CVE-2023-23660 is an authenticated subscriber-or-higher SQL injection in MainWP MainWP Maintenance Extension up to 4.1.1. It is tracked as CWE-89 with CVSS 3.1 score 8.5, network attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, changed scope, high confidentiality impact, no integrity impact, and low availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress environments with the MainWP Maintenance Extension installed at version 4.1.1 or earlier. The attacker needs a valid low-privilege account, so public registration, weak account governance, or many subscriber accounts increase practical risk.
Exploitation context
The bundle states authenticated subscriber-level SQL injection and KEV is false. No cited source in the bundle confirms active exploitation or provides exploit status. Treat internet-facing WordPress sites with this extension as higher priority, especially where untrusted users can obtain accounts.
Researcher notes
Evidence is source-limited. The bundle identifies the issue as authenticated SQLi in versions up to 4.1.1, but does not provide affected CPEs, a specific fixed version, exploit telemetry, or endpoint-level details. Avoid assuming broader MainWP product exposure beyond the named extension.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for MainWP Maintenance Extension installations.
- Check MainWP and Patchstack guidance for the fixed release path.
- Upgrade vulnerable installations using vendor-supported update channels.
- Temporarily disable the extension if a confirmed fix cannot be applied.
- Review subscriber account creation and remove unnecessary low-privilege accounts.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether the extension is installed on each WordPress site.
- Record the installed plugin version and compare it with 4.1.1 or earlier.
- Check whether public user registration or untrusted subscriber accounts exist.
- Review logs for unexpected authenticated activity involving the extension.
- Document remediation evidence and retest version state after changes.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-89: Database access and collection lookup
Injection into data stores can inform collection, data access, and exfiltration detection reviews. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-23660 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L3.14.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/mainwp-maintenance-extension/wordpress-mainwp-maintenance-extension-plugin-4-1-1-subscriber-sql-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cveCVE reference · vdb-entry
- https://patchstack.com/articles/multiple-vulnerabilities-affecting-mainwp-extensions?_s_id=cveCVE reference · third-party-advisory, technical-description
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.