CVE-2017-6954 in BuddyPress Docs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in includes/component.php in the BuddyPress Docs plugin before 1.9.3 for WordPress. It is possible for authenticated users to edit documents of other users without proper permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6954 resides within the BuddyPress Docs plugin for WordPress, specifically in the includes/component.php file. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the plugin's document management system. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.9.3 and allows authenticated users to exploit a permission bypass mechanism that should have restricted document editing to authorized owners only.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of user permissions during document editing operations. When an authenticated user attempts to modify a document, the plugin fails to adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to perform such actions on the target document. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where users can manipulate the editing process to access and modify documents belonging to other users within the same WordPress environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust model inherent in the WordPress plugin architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using WordPress with BuddyPress Docs. An authenticated attacker with minimal privileges could potentially access sensitive documents, modify content, or even delete important information belonging to other users. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it can lead to data integrity compromises and potential information disclosure that violates organizational security policies. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in collaborative environments where multiple users share the same WordPress instance and rely on document access controls for privacy and security.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the plugin's authorization mechanisms that allows unauthorized access to protected resources. Additionally, the vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate access paths. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 1.9.3 or later, reviewing user permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized document modifications. Network segmentation and additional access controls can provide layered defense against exploitation attempts while the core vulnerability is addressed through proper patch management procedures.