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CVE Record

CVE-2023-3352: Smush – Lazy Load Images, Optimize & Compress Images <= 3.16.4 - Missing Authorization to Resmush List Deletion

The Smush plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized deletion of the resmush list due to a missing capability check on the delete_resmush_list() function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with minimal permissions such as a subscriber, to delete the resmush list for Nextgen or the Media Library.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in the WordPress Smush plugin allowed any logged-in user, even a subscriber, to delete the plugin’s resmush list. This is not a site takeover issue, but it can disrupt image optimization workflows and damage operational integrity where Smush is used.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine but real WordPress maintenance item. Prioritize sites with public registration, many subscribers, agencies, or shared editorial access, because the issue depends on authenticated low-privilege users.

Technical view

CVE-2023-3352 is a missing authorization issue in Smush’s delete_resmush_list() function. Authenticated attackers with low privileges could delete the resmush list for NextGEN or the Media Library. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.3 with low integrity impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Smush versions in the reported affected range, up to and including 3.16.4, with untrusted or numerous authenticated users.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not identify active exploitation, and KEV status is false. Exploitation requires authenticated access, but only minimal privileges such as subscriber are reported as sufficient.

Researcher notes

This is CWE-862 missing authorization, not authentication bypass. The reported impact is unauthorized deletion of resmush list data, with no confidentiality or availability impact in the supplied CVSS vector. Evidence does not support broader product impact or weaponized exploitation claims.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory WordPress sites using the Smush plugin.
  • Update Smush beyond the affected <= 3.16.4 range when vendor guidance confirms the fix.
  • Limit unnecessary subscriber or low-privilege accounts on affected WordPress sites.
  • Review vendor and WordPress plugin guidance for any additional remediation notes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed Smush versions across WordPress environments.
  • Verify affected sites no longer run Smush <= 3.16.4.
  • Check whether low-privilege users can change Smush resmush list state.
  • Review audit logs for unexpected Smush or media optimization changes.
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-2023-3352 mapping review

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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:N/I:L/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:N/I:L/A:N2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-3352Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/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
wpmudevSmush – Image Optimization, Compression, Lazy Load, WebP & CDN0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-862

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

CWE-862 · source CWE mapping

Missing Authorization

Missing Authorization represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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