CVE-2019-15820 in login-or-logout-menu-item Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The login-or-logout-menu-item plugin before 1.2.0 for WordPress has no requirement for lolmi_save_settings authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15820 affects the login-or-logout-menu-item plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 1.2.0. This issue represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of affected WordPress installations. The plugin's failure to implement proper authentication checks for the lolmi_save_settings function creates an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized users to manipulate the plugin's configuration settings. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in web applications where administrative functions are exposed to unauthenticated access, as they provide attackers with potential pathways to escalate privileges or modify critical system parameters.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of authentication validation within the plugin's settings management functionality. Specifically, the lolmi_save_settings endpoint lacks proper verification of user credentials or role-based access controls that would normally be required to modify plugin configurations. This authentication gap enables any visitor to the website to submit requests that update the plugin's login or logout menu item settings without proper authorization. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic example of insufficient authentication mechanisms in web applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify menu item configurations, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or removing authentication prompts entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes and can significantly compromise WordPress site security. An attacker who exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to modify how login and logout functionality appears in navigation menus, potentially creating social engineering opportunities or disrupting user authentication flows. The flaw allows unauthorized modification of menu item behavior, which could lead to credential theft, session hijacking, or other malicious activities that leverage user trust in the navigation system. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and violates fundamental security requirements for administrative functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because menu items are frequently accessed by users and often contain critical authentication-related functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15820 require immediate action to update the affected plugin to version 1.2.0 or later, which implements proper authentication checks for the lolmi_save_settings function. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms that align with security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious configuration changes to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and patch management processes should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where attackers exploit weak authentication controls to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions.