CVE-2016-10968 in peepso-core Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The peepso-core plugin before 1.6.1 for WordPress has PeepSoProfilePreferencesAjax->save() privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10968 affects the peepso-core plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions prior to 1.6.1. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the plugin's core functionality, allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated access privileges. The vulnerability resides in the PeepSoProfilePreferencesAjax->save() method, which handles user profile preference saving operations. This type of vulnerability directly undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to significant security compromise within WordPress installations using the affected plugin.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control validation within the Ajax handler method. When users submit profile preference changes through the PeepSoProfilePreferencesAjax->save() function, the plugin fails to adequately verify user permissions or roles before processing the request. This oversight allows malicious actors, including subscribers or even unauthenticated users, to manipulate the system and potentially execute actions reserved for administrators or higher-privileged roles. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the WordPress plugin architecture and its AJAX handling mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-285: Improper Authorization, which encompasses issues where systems fail to properly enforce access controls for operations requiring elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this privilege escalation vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access. Attackers could potentially modify user profiles, manipulate system settings, or gain access to sensitive administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. In a WordPress environment, this could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of malicious code through the elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site running the peepso-core plugin version 1.6.0 or earlier, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WordPress and the plugin's user base. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under T1068 and T1548.1, demonstrating how application-level flaws can be exploited to gain elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.6.1 or later, where the authorization checks have been properly implemented. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of Ajax requests and user activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive security auditing of other plugin components for similar authorization flaws, as well as implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that might exist in other plugins or themes, ensuring that all components maintain proper authorization controls and follow secure coding practices to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attacks.