CVE-2019-15819 in nd-restaurant-reservations Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The nd-restaurant-reservations plugin before 1.5 for WordPress has no requirement for nd_rst_import_settings_php_function authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15819 affects the nd-restaurant-reservations plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.5. This issue represents a critical authentication flaw that allows unauthorized users to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper authentication checks for the nd_rst_import_settings_php_function, which is a critical component responsible for handling settings imports within the restaurant reservation system. The absence of authentication requirements creates an exploitable entry point where malicious actors can manipulate the plugin's functionality without proper authorization.
This technical flaw falls under the category of insufficient authentication vulnerabilities, which are classified as CWE-287 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as the affected plugin operates within the WordPress ecosystem, providing attackers with a foothold that could be leveraged for further attacks. The lack of authentication checks for the PHP function suggests a fundamental security oversight in the plugin's development lifecycle, where proper security controls were not implemented during the design phase.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress site administrators and their users. Attackers can exploit this flaw to import malicious settings, potentially gaining access to sensitive reservation data, customer information, and system configurations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for remote code execution without requiring any valid user credentials or session tokens. This makes it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns, as the attack surface is minimal and the exploitation process requires no additional authentication steps. The affected systems may experience data breaches, service disruption, and potential full system compromise depending on the privileges of the web server.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate upgrade to version 1.5 or later of the nd-restaurant-reservations plugin, which includes the necessary authentication requirements for the nd_rst_import_settings_php_function. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting file permissions, monitoring for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell and T1059.006 for Unix Shell, as the exploitation may involve command execution through the compromised plugin interface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as it represents a known attack vector that security researchers and threat actors frequently target in automated scanning campaigns.