CVE-2014-9033 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in wp-login.php in WordPress 3.7.4, 3.8.4, 3.9.2, and 4.0 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users for requests that reset passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The CVE-2014-9033 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the WordPress authentication system that specifically targets the wp-login.php endpoint. This vulnerability affects multiple WordPress versions including 3.7.4, 3.8.4, 3.9.2, and 4.0, creating a widespread security risk across numerous web applications. The flaw operates by exploiting the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation in password reset functionality, allowing malicious actors to manipulate authenticated sessions without legitimate user consent. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software systems. This weakness enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users through manipulated requests that appear legitimate to the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from WordPress's password reset mechanism failing to validate the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate users. When a user requests a password reset, the system generates a reset link containing a unique token that should be validated before processing any password change operations. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass this token validation process, effectively enabling unauthorized password reset operations. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication flow within the WordPress core, making it particularly dangerous as it directly undermines user account security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by embedding malicious links or forms within compromised websites or through social engineering techniques that trick users into unknowingly initiating password reset requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9033 extends beyond simple account compromise, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to systematically hijack user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. When successful, this vulnerability allows attackers to reset passwords for arbitrary users, effectively locking out legitimate users while gaining control over their accounts. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be executed remotely without requiring any special privileges or credentials from the attacker. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1548.001 category, which covers 'Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism' and specifically addresses the exploitation of authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where users frequently access WordPress sites from shared or public computers, as attackers can easily execute these attacks without detection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9033 primarily involve immediate patching of affected WordPress installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating all WordPress installations to versions that address this specific CSRF vulnerability, as the patch typically includes enhanced token validation mechanisms and improved session management. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation on authentication endpoints, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF patterns, and establishing monitoring protocols to identify unusual authentication activities. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication as an additional security layer that would mitigate the impact of password reset compromises. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices that include proper validation of all user inputs and authentication tokens, aligning with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.