CVE-2010-5297 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
WordPress before 3.0.1, when a Multisite installation is used, permanently retains the "site administrators can add users" option once changed, which might allow remote authenticated administrators to bypass intended access restrictions in opportunistic circumstances via an add action after a temporary change.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
This vulnerability affects WordPress installations running version 3.0.1 or earlier, specifically when configured as a multisite network. The flaw resides in the permission management system where the "site administrators can add users" setting does not properly reset to its default state after being temporarily modified. This creates a persistent security issue that allows authenticated administrators to potentially bypass intended access controls through opportunistic exploitation. The vulnerability stems from improper state management within the multisite configuration where administrative changes are not properly reverted to their original settings, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WordPress multisite administration interface where site-level administrators can modify user management permissions. When an administrator temporarily changes the setting to allow user additions, the system fails to properly reset this configuration to its original state. This creates a persistent condition where the modified permission level remains active even after the intended temporary change has expired. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without explicit user notification, making it difficult to detect and audit. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 as an improper access control issue, specifically related to inadequate privilege management in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control bypass to potentially enable unauthorized user creation and privilege escalation within the multisite network. An attacker who gains access to a site administrator account can exploit this flaw to add new users with elevated privileges, effectively circumventing the intended security boundaries between different sites within the same network. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on multisite configurations for managing multiple domains or sub-sites, as the vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent access points. The attack vector requires only authenticated access to a site administrator account, making it particularly concerning for environments where administrative credentials might be compromised through social engineering or other means.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to WordPress version 3.0.1 or later where the issue has been resolved through proper configuration state management. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control audits to identify and revoke unnecessary administrative privileges from users who do not require them. Network administrators should establish strict monitoring of user addition activities within multisite environments, particularly focusing on changes to user management permissions. The remediation process should include reviewing all existing multisite configurations to ensure proper permission reset mechanisms are in place, and implementing automated checks to validate that permission settings are properly reverted after temporary changes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing role-based access control policies that limit the scope of administrative privileges within multisite networks, reducing the potential impact of such vulnerabilities through defense-in-depth strategies. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper state management in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.