# CVE-2023-0477: Auto Featured Image < 3.9.16 - Author+ Arbitrary File Upload

> Authors can upload arbitrary files, including PHP, via an AJAX endpoint due to incorrect validation, leading to remote code execution.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 13 Mar 2023
- **Updated:** 27 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xv6m-g863-2r99

## What is CVE-2023-0477?

CVE-2023-0477 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail), published on 13 Mar 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail) WordPress plugin before 3.9.16 includes an AJAX endpoint that allows any user with at least Author privileges to upload arbitrary files, such as PHP files. This is caused by incorrect file extension validation.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-0477?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cm-Wp Auto Featured Image.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-0477?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-0477 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-0477 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0477 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Unknown Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail)

- [CVE-2021-24932](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24932/): Auto Featured Image < 3.9.3 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (medium 6.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-0477 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-0477 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail), published on 13 Mar 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0477 exists.

Affected product: Unknown Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail). No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0477/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0477/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-0477
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0477
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-0477

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0477/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.