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CVE Record

CVE-2023-2562: Gallery Metabox <= 1.5 - Missing Authorization via refresh_metabox

The Gallery Metabox for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the refresh_metabox function in versions up to, and including, 1.5. This makes it possible for subscriber-level attackers to obtain a list of images attached to a post.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-2562 affects the Gallery Metabox WordPress plugin through version 1.5. A logged-in low-privilege user, such as a subscriber, may access lists of images attached to posts because an authorization check is missing. The impact is limited data exposure, not site takeover.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate-priority WordPress plugin exposure issue. It is not supported as actively exploited in the provided sources, but it can leak post-attached image information to low-privilege users and should be addressed during normal vulnerability remediation cycles.

Technical view

The refresh_metabox function lacks a capability check, classified as CWE-862. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.3 with network access, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and low confidentiality impact only. Sources identify Gallery Metabox versions up to and including 1.5.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on WordPress sites running Gallery Metabox 1.5 or earlier, especially where untrusted users can hold subscriber-level accounts. The disclosed data is a list of images attached to a post.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires an authenticated low-privilege account and appears limited to unauthorized data access, with no sourced evidence of integrity or availability impact.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a missing authorization check in refresh_metabox and a confidentiality-only impact. The source bundle does not provide a specific patched version, exploit proof, or operational workaround, so remediation should be aligned with current vendor or WordPress plugin guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify whether Gallery Metabox is installed and its version.
  • Check vendor or WordPress plugin guidance for a fixed release.
  • Update the plugin if a fixed version is available.
  • Disable or remove the plugin if it is unnecessary.
  • Review and reduce untrusted subscriber-level accounts.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory WordPress sites for Gallery Metabox versions 1.5 or earlier.
  • Confirm whether subscriber-level registration is enabled or broadly available.
  • Review logs for unusual authenticated access around gallery metabox activity.
  • Verify remediation by confirming the plugin is updated, removed, or otherwise vendor-mitigated.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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 · medium confidence lookup

CWE-862: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup

Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. 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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-2562 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-2562Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
billericksonGallery Metabox0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-862

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.