CVE-2019-15772 in nd-donations Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The nd-donations plugin before 1.4 for WordPress has a nopriv_ AJAX action that allows modification of the siteurl setting.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15772 affects the nd-donations WordPress plugin version 1.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized modification of core WordPress settings through improper access controls. This issue stems from the plugin's implementation of a nopriv_ AJAX action that lacks adequate authentication mechanisms, allowing any unauthenticated user to manipulate critical site configuration parameters. The vulnerability specifically targets the siteurl setting, which controls the WordPress installation's base URL and can significantly impact the entire site's functionality and security posture. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which encompasses Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) conditions where insufficient validation permits unauthorized actions to be performed on behalf of users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the WordPress AJAX framework, where the nopriv_ prefix indicates that the action should be accessible without authentication. However, in this case, the action permits modification of critical WordPress settings without proper authorization checks, creating an attack vector that can be leveraged by malicious actors to alter fundamental site parameters. The siteurl setting modification can lead to various downstream security implications including redirection attacks, compromised site integrity, and potential escalation to full site compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables arbitrary code execution through configuration manipulation, and T1546.001 for Event Triggering, as it allows modification of system-level parameters that can trigger further malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as modification of the siteurl setting can disrupt normal site operations and potentially redirect users to malicious domains. Attackers can exploit this weakness to create persistent backdoors, redirect traffic to phishing sites, or manipulate user experiences in ways that can compromise user trust and data integrity. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used plugin, making it a prime target for automated exploitation attempts. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of site takeover, data exfiltration, and reputational damage, as the compromised site can be used to distribute malware or conduct phishing campaigns. The lack of authentication enforcement in this AJAX endpoint creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the plugin is updated to version 1.4 or later, which implements proper access controls and validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15772 require immediate action to upgrade the nd-donations plugin to version 1.4 or higher, which addresses the authentication flaw in the AJAX action. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including monitoring for unauthorized AJAX requests, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious patterns, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in WordPress plugins, particularly when dealing with administrative functions that can modify core system settings. Organizations should also establish regular plugin update procedures and maintain comprehensive vulnerability assessment programs to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by threat actors. Security monitoring should specifically target unusual modifications to siteurl and other core WordPress settings, as these changes often indicate successful exploitation attempts.