CVE-2023-5003 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.1.10. This plugin facilitates integration between WordPress sites and LDAP or Active Directory services, commonly used for authentication and user management. The vulnerability arises from the plugin's handling of LDAP logs when an administrator attempts to export them. Specifically, the plugin writes sensitive LDAP log data to a temporary buffer file on the server's filesystem. However, this file is not deleted after the export operation completes, leaving it accessible indefinitely. Because the file remains accessible via a predictable URL, any user who knows or can guess the URL can retrieve sensitive information contained in these logs. The logs may include sensitive LDAP queries, usernames, or other authentication-related data, potentially exposing confidential information about the directory structure or user credentials. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflects the vulnerability's characteristics: it is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, has low attack complexity, and results in a high confidentiality impact. There is no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been linked, though upgrading to version 4.1.10 or later is implied to remediate the issue. This vulnerability falls under CWE-538, which concerns the insertion of sensitive information into files or directories accessible externally, leading to unintended data disclosure.

For European organizations using WordPress sites integrated with Active Directory or LDAP via this plugin, the vulnerability poses a significant confidentiality risk. Sensitive LDAP logs could reveal internal directory structures, user account details, or authentication attempts, which attackers could leverage for further reconnaissance or targeted attacks such as credential harvesting or privilege escalation. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as finance, healthcare, and government, face heightened compliance risks if such data is exposed. The exposure of directory information could also facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers gain initial access. Since the vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, it can be exploited by any remote attacker aware of the URL pattern, increasing the attack surface. The lack of integrity or availability impact limits the scope to data leakage, but the sensitivity of the leaked data makes this a critical concern for maintaining confidentiality and trust. Additionally, the persistence of the file on the server means that even after the initial export, the data remains exposed until manually removed or patched.

1. Immediate upgrade of the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin to version 4.1.10 or later, where the issue is resolved. 2. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict access controls on the directory where the temporary log files are stored, ensuring that only authorized administrators can access these files. 3. Configure web server rules (e.g., .htaccess for Apache or equivalent for Nginx) to deny public HTTP access to the directory or file pattern used for these logs. 4. Regularly audit the web server filesystem for leftover temporary files containing sensitive data and securely delete any found. 5. Monitor web server logs for suspicious access attempts to URLs resembling the log file paths. 6. Consider disabling LDAP log export functionality temporarily if it cannot be secured. 7. Educate administrators on securely handling exported logs and ensure that temporary files are cleaned up after use. 8. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block attempts to access unauthorized files. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and operational hygiene specific to the vulnerability's nature.