CVE-2014-5034 in Brute Force Login Protection Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Brute Force Login Protection module 1.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of unspecified users for requests that have unknown impact via a crafted request to the brute-force-login-protection page to wp-admin/options-general.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2020
The CVE-2014-5034 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Brute Force Login Protection module version 1.3 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability resides in the module's handling of authentication requests and specifically targets the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the authentication process by crafting malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress administration interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple session hijacking as it can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary actions within the WordPress admin environment, though the exact scope of possible actions remains unspecified in the original description.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper validation mechanisms within the Brute Force Login Protection module's request processing. When users access the brute-force-login-protection page, the module fails to implement adequate anti-CSRF token validation or referer header checking. This omission creates a window where malicious actors can construct crafted HTTP requests that, when executed by authenticated users, are interpreted by WordPress as legitimate administrative commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the WordPress admin interface's handling of configuration changes and login protection settings, making it particularly dangerous for site administrators who may unknowingly execute malicious operations while browsing compromised websites or receiving phishing emails.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5034 extends beyond simple unauthorized access attempts and represents a significant threat to WordPress site integrity and user security. Attackers could potentially modify critical security settings, disable brute force protection mechanisms, or manipulate login credentials through the compromised administrative interface. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations that rely on the Brute Force Login Protection module for enhanced security, as the flaw exists in a security enhancement module rather than the core WordPress platform. The unspecified impact mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that the consequences could vary depending on the specific WordPress configuration and the attacker's objectives, potentially ranging from simple credential theft to complete administrative takeover of affected sites.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and authentication verification mechanisms that are fundamental requirements in secure application development practices. Organizations should consider implementing mitigations that align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1078 for legitimate credentials and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security modules and plugins, as the flaw existed in a specific version of the Brute Force Login Protection module that likely received updates to address the CSRF issue. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring and logging of wp-admin activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches and module updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5034 should prioritize immediate module updates to versions that address the CSRF vulnerability, though organizations may need to implement additional security controls in the interim. The implementation of proper CSRF token validation mechanisms within WordPress plugins represents a fundamental security requirement that should be enforced across all administrative interfaces. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with CSRF protection capabilities and conduct regular security audits of WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites while authenticated to WordPress admin interfaces can help reduce the attack surface for CSRF exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their backup and recovery procedures to ensure that they can quickly restore affected systems if exploitation occurs, as the potential for complete administrative compromise exists with this vulnerability type.