CVE-2019-15771 in nd-shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The nd-shortcodes plugin before 6.0 for WordPress has a nopriv_ AJAX action that allows modification of the siteurl setting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15771 affects the nd-shortcodes plugin version 6.0 and earlier for WordPress platforms. This issue stems from an insecure implementation of the nopriv_ AJAX action within the plugin's codebase, creating a potential attack vector that could allow unauthorized modification of critical site configuration parameters. The vulnerability specifically targets the siteurl setting, which represents one of the fundamental configuration elements that govern how WordPress handles URL generation and site navigation. When an attacker exploits this flaw, they can manipulate the siteurl parameter through unauthenticated AJAX requests, potentially leading to domain redirection or other malicious configuration changes that could compromise the site's integrity and user experience.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of AJAX requests that lack proper authentication checks. The nopriv_ prefix in WordPress typically indicates actions that should be accessible to unauthenticated users, but in this case, the implementation allows modification of sensitive configuration settings that should normally require administrative privileges. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the security boundary between public and administrative functionality has been improperly enforced. The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and specifically demonstrates inadequate authorization checks for critical system parameters. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious URLs or redirect traffic, potentially leading to phishing attacks or other malicious activities that exploit the compromised siteurl configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes and can significantly compromise the security posture of affected WordPress installations. When an attacker successfully modifies the siteurl setting, they can redirect users to malicious domains, inject malicious scripts, or create confusion within the site's navigation structure. This modification can affect not only the frontend user experience but also backend administrative functions that rely on proper URL resolution. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that remains active until the plugin is updated, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term control over the affected site's URL handling mechanisms. This type of configuration manipulation can also facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting attempts or social engineering campaigns that exploit the altered site behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15771 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 6.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring AJAX request patterns for unusual modifications to core configuration settings and implementing network-level restrictions on potentially dangerous AJAX endpoints. The fix typically involves adding proper authentication checks to ensure that only authorized users can modify critical site parameters through AJAX interfaces. Security professionals should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for AJAX actions and regularly audit plugin configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting and manipulation. Organizations should also maintain updated security baselines and regularly scan their WordPress installations for known vulnerabilities that could be exploited through similar pathways.