CVE-2017-14766 in Simple Student Result Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Simple Student Result plugin before 1.6.4 for WordPress has an Authentication Bypass vulnerability because the fn_ssr_add_st_submit() function and fn_ssr_del_st_submit() function in functions.php only require knowing the student id number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
The CVE-2017-14766 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the Simple Student Result WordPress plugin affecting versions prior to 1.6.4. This vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality, specifically in the functions.php file where two key functions operate without proper authentication checks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows unauthorized users to manipulate student records through direct function calls that should require proper authentication. The affected functions fn_ssr_add_st_submit() and fn_ssr_del_st_submit() demonstrate a fundamental flaw in the plugin's security architecture where the only required parameter is a student ID number, which can be easily guessed or enumerated by attackers. This design flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly associated with weak authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a clear violation of the authentication requirements defined in the OWASP Top Ten.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of session validation and user authentication checks within the plugin's administrative functions. Attackers can leverage this weakness by directly calling the vulnerable functions with a valid student ID number, bypassing the normal WordPress authentication flow entirely. The student ID number serves as the sole authentication mechanism, which is fundamentally flawed since these identifiers are often predictable or can be discovered through enumeration attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as the attacker essentially gains access to administrative functions without proper credentials. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to modify student records, potentially leading to data integrity issues, unauthorized access to personal information, and potential grade manipulation. The flaw exists because the plugin fails to verify that the requesting user has proper authorization levels to perform the requested operations, instead relying solely on a parameter that can be easily obtained.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass serious privacy and integrity concerns within educational institutions that rely on WordPress platforms for student information systems. Unauthorized individuals could potentially access sensitive student data, alter academic records, or even delete student information entirely, leading to significant operational disruptions and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of student information systems, creating risks that could impact academic processes, student services, and institutional compliance with data protection regulations. Educational organizations using this plugin may face regulatory penalties if student data is compromised, particularly under frameworks such as FERPA in the United States or GDPR in European jurisdictions. The vulnerability also demonstrates the broader risk associated with plugin security in WordPress environments, where third-party components often lack the rigorous security testing and validation that core platform components receive.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching to version 1.6.4 or later, which includes proper authentication checks and access controls. Organizations should implement additional monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to the plugin functions and establish proper role-based access controls within their WordPress installations. The recommended approach aligns with the principle of defense in depth and follows security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for access control and system security. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to administrative functions, while regular security audits of installed plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms, emphasizing that all functions requiring administrative privileges must verify user credentials and authorization levels before executing sensitive operations. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting such authentication bypass vulnerabilities.