CVE-2018-19488 in WP-jobhunt Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The WP-jobhunt plugin before version 2.4 for WordPress does not control AJAX requests sent to the cs_reset_pass() function through the admin-ajax.php file, which allows remote unauthenticated attackers to reset the password of a user's account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19488 affects the WP-jobhunt plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 2.4, creating a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate user account passwords without authentication. This issue resides within the plugin's handling of AJAX requests through the admin-ajax.php endpoint, which serves as a central communication hub for WordPress administrative functions. The flaw stems from inadequate validation and authorization controls within the cs_reset_pass() function, which should have required proper authentication before executing password reset operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the lack of access controls by directly calling the cs_reset_pass() function through the admin-ajax.php file without requiring valid user credentials or administrative privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the plugin's security architecture where the function fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses legitimate authorization to perform password reset operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web request mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special tools or privileges beyond basic web browsing capabilities.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin, as it enables attackers to compromise user accounts and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or administrative functions. The impact extends beyond simple password resets since compromised accounts can serve as entry points for further exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to modify content, access private data, or establish persistent access to the affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-306, which describes missing authentication for critical functions, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1110, which covers "Brute Force" and "Credential Access" techniques. Attackers can leverage this flaw to systematically reset passwords for user accounts, potentially gaining unauthorized access to administrative panels or sensitive user data. The vulnerability also exposes the broader risk of insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within WordPress plugins, which often serve as attack vectors due to their widespread use and varying security implementations. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to account compromise.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate updating of the WP-jobhunt plugin to version 2.4 or later, which implements proper authentication controls for the password reset function. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as rate limiting on AJAX endpoints, monitoring for suspicious password reset activities, and ensuring that all WordPress plugins undergo regular security assessments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation and the necessity of validating all user requests, particularly those involving sensitive operations like password resets, within web applications.