CVE-2019-14679 in ARPrice Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
core/views/arprice_import_export.php in the ARPrice Lite plugin 2.2 for WordPress allows wp-admin/admin.php?page=arplite_import_export CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14679 resides within the ARPrice Lite plugin version 2.2 for WordPress, specifically in the core/views/arprice_import_export.php file. This issue represents a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers with administrator privileges to execute unauthorized actions within the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability manifests when users navigate to the wp-admin/admin.php?page=arplite_import_export endpoint, which lacks proper CSRF protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms in the import/export functionality of the ARPrice Lite plugin. When an authenticated administrator visits the vulnerable page, the plugin fails to verify the authenticity of requests originating from the legitimate admin interface. This omission creates a pathway for attackers to craft malicious requests that can be executed on behalf of the administrator without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative import/export functionality, which could potentially allow attackers to manipulate pricing data or import malicious content into the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a means to exploit the administrative privileges of the targeted WordPress installation. An attacker could leverage this CSRF vulnerability to perform unauthorized import operations that might introduce malicious code, modify pricing information, or potentially gain further access to the system. The attack requires the victim administrator to be logged into the WordPress admin interface and to visit a malicious webpage or click on a crafted link. This scenario represents a classic CSRF attack vector where the attacker exploits the trust relationship between the browser and the WordPress application.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a security weakness that occurs when a web application fails to verify the origin of requests. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as the imported data could potentially contain malicious commands or scripts. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1547.001, which involves registry run keys or startup folder, if the imported data modifies system configurations or creates persistence mechanisms within the WordPress environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching of the ARPrice Lite plugin to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including the use of security plugins that provide CSRF protection, regular monitoring of administrative actions, and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrator accounts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and administrators should maintain updated backups to quickly restore systems if compromise occurs. The vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing proper input validation and authentication checks for all administrative functions within WordPress plugins.