CVE-2019-14683 in Import Users from CSV with Meta Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The codection "Import users from CSV with meta" plugin before 1.14.2.2 for WordPress allows wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=acui_delete_attachment CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14683 affects the Codection plugin "Import users from CSV with meta" version 1.14.2.1 and earlier within the WordPress ecosystem. This security flaw resides in the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint which handles asynchronous requests in WordPress installations. The specific issue manifests through a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to be tricked into executing unintended actions without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically targets the acui_delete_attachment action parameter, which is designed to handle attachment deletion functionality within the plugin's user import and management system.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism. When an administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link that triggers the acui_delete_attachment action, the WordPress AJAX system processes the request without verifying the authenticity of the origin or the user's intent. This occurs because the plugin fails to implement the standard WordPress CSRF protection mechanisms that typically involve nonce verification. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the plugin's functionality to delete media attachments from the WordPress media library through a forged request that appears legitimate to the WordPress system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple attachment deletion, as it represents a significant compromise to WordPress site integrity and user data management. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can remove important media files, potentially including user avatars, featured images, or other critical content that supports the site's functionality. This could result in data loss, disruption of site operations, and potential compromise of user experience. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative context, meaning that successful exploitation requires only an authenticated administrator session, which is typically more valuable than unauthenticated attacks. The consequences can be amplified if the compromised site relies heavily on media content or if the deleted attachments contain sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.14.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as regular plugin audits, monitoring of administrative actions, and enforcement of strong authentication practices including multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery, and corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual AJAX requests can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Administrators should also consider implementing role-based access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes that may not properly implement CSRF protection mechanisms.