CVE-2012-1936 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** The wp_create_nonce function in wp-includes/pluggable.php in WordPress 3.3.1 and earlier associates a nonce with a user account instead of a user session, which might make it easier for remote attackers to conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks on specific actions and objects by sniffing the network, as demonstrated by attacks against the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and wp-admin/user-new.php scripts. NOTE: the vendor reportedly disputes the significance of this issue because wp_create_nonce operates as intended, even if it is arguably inconsistent with certain CSRF protection details advocated by external organizations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1936 relates to the wp_create_nonce function implementation within WordPress core software version 3.3.1 and earlier. This issue stems from a design decision where nonces are tied to user accounts rather than user sessions, creating a potential security weakness that could be exploited by attackers. The nonce mechanism in WordPress is designed to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks by ensuring that requests originate from legitimate sources, but this particular implementation flaw undermines that protection. The vulnerability becomes particularly concerning when network traffic can be intercepted or sniffed by attackers, as demonstrated in attacks targeting specific administrative scripts.
The technical flaw occurs because the wp_create_nonce function generates tokens that remain valid across multiple sessions for the same user account, rather than creating session-specific nonces that would expire when a user logs out or after a predetermined time period. This design choice means that if an attacker can capture a valid nonce from a legitimate user's session, they could potentially reuse that nonce for unauthorized actions against WordPress administrative interfaces. The vulnerability specifically impacts the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and wp-admin/user-new.php scripts, which are critical administrative endpoints where user management and AJAX operations occur. This inconsistency between the nonce generation and expected CSRF protection standards creates an exploitable condition that external security organizations have criticized as potentially weakening the overall security posture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session management issues, as it creates opportunities for attackers to perform unauthorized administrative actions without proper authentication. When an attacker intercepts a nonce, they can potentially execute actions such as adding new users, modifying existing user permissions, or performing other administrative tasks that require valid nonce validation. The fact that this vulnerability operates at the core WordPress functionality level means that it affects virtually all WordPress installations using the vulnerable versions, making it a significant concern for website administrators and security professionals. The attack vector relies on network sniffing capabilities, which means that any unencrypted connections or network monitoring tools could potentially be exploited to capture these tokens.
Security organizations and standards such as CWE-346 (Origin Validation Error) and ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation are relevant to understanding the implications of this vulnerability. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in security mechanisms can create substantial risks when they deviate from established best practices. While WordPress developers have disputed the significance of this issue by stating that the function operates as intended, the external criticism highlights a gap between implementation and security expectations. This discrepancy underscores the importance of following established security frameworks and standards, particularly when dealing with authentication and authorization mechanisms that are fundamental to web application security.
The recommended mitigation strategies include upgrading to WordPress versions that address this vulnerability, implementing proper transport layer security through HTTPS, and ensuring that all administrative interfaces are protected with strong authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging for administrative actions, as well as network security measures that prevent unauthorized access to administrative endpoints. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper session management and nonce handling in web applications, particularly when these mechanisms are designed to protect against CSRF attacks that could otherwise allow attackers to compromise user accounts and administrative privileges.