CVE-2015-9394 in users-ultra Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The users-ultra plugin before 1.5.63 for WordPress has CSRF via action=package_add_new to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9394 affects the users-ultra plugin version 1.5.62 and earlier, which is a popular user management solution for WordPress platforms. This flaw resides within the plugin's handling of administrative AJAX requests, specifically targeting the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint. The issue manifests as a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to perform administrative actions without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the plugin's legitimate administrative functionality to execute malicious operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the referer header and lack of proper nonce verification within the plugin's package_add_new action handler. When a user visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can construct a request that appears to originate from the legitimate WordPress administration interface. This allows the attacker to add new packages or modify existing ones through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint, effectively bypassing the standard WordPress authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no privileged access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress sites that have administrative users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of administrative operations within the compromised WordPress installation. An attacker could potentially add new administrator accounts, modify existing user permissions, install malicious plugins, or alter site configurations through the package management functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly visit external websites or where users may be tricked into clicking malicious links, as the attack can be executed without the administrator's knowledge or consent. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence and user management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.5.63 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the CSRF flaw. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as enforcing strict referer header validation, implementing proper nonce verification mechanisms, and regularly monitoring administrative access logs for suspicious activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery issues, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as it allows unauthorized access to administrative functions through legitimate user sessions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and block suspicious AJAX requests targeting administrative endpoints, particularly those involving user management functionalities.