Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This CVE affects the WordPress Remote Content Shortcode plugin through version 1.5. An authenticated attacker could abuse path traversal behavior to include local PHP files, creating a confidentiality risk. The public record rates it medium severity, but sites using the plugin should treat exposure as urgent to verify.
Executive priority
Prioritize discovery and remediation on internet-facing WordPress sites. This is not confirmed exploited in the supplied sources, but the potential exposure of local files makes it important where the plugin is present and authenticated access is broadly delegated.
Technical view
CVE-2023-45652 is a CWE-22 path traversal issue in Justin Silver Remote Content Shortcode for WordPress, affecting versions through 1.5. The CVSS 3.1 score is 6.5 with network access, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running Remote Content Shortcode version 1.5 or earlier. Risk is higher where authenticated users beyond trusted administrators can create or modify content using plugin functionality. The supplied sources do not identify affected CPEs or deployment patterns.
Exploitation context
The CVE record and Patchstack reference describe local file inclusion via path traversal. KEV status is false, and the supplied sources do not state active exploitation, public exploit availability, or observed attacks. Exploitation requires some authenticated privilege according to the CVSS vector.
Researcher notes
The supplied evidence supports CWE-22 path traversal leading to PHP local file inclusion, CVSS 6.5. The record does not provide a fixed version, exploit proof, vulnerable parameter, or detailed prerequisites beyond PR:L. Avoid assuming compromise without local validation.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the remote-content-shortcode plugin and record installed versions.
- Treat version 1.5 and earlier as affected until vendor guidance says otherwise.
- Check Patchstack, WordPress plugin listings, or vendor channels for fixed-version or removal guidance.
- Remove or disable the plugin where it is unnecessary or unsupported.
- Limit WordPress accounts that can create or modify content using plugin features.
- Monitor logs for unusual file access errors or suspicious authenticated plugin activity.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Remote Content Shortcode is installed on each WordPress site.
- Verify the installed plugin version against the affected range through version 1.5.
- Review which authenticated roles can create or edit content that invokes plugin behavior.
- Check whether a vendor-supported fixed version or replacement is available.
- Review recent logs for abnormal authenticated requests and file inclusion error patterns.
Public sources used
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-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. 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 lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-45652 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
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:U/C:H/I:N/A:N2.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
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.