CVE-2019-15825 in wps-hide-login Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wps-hide-login plugin before 1.5.3 for WordPress has an action=rp&key&login protection bypass.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15825 affects the wps-hide-login plugin for WordPress systems, specifically versions prior to 1.5.3. This plugin is designed to hide WordPress login pages and provide additional security measures for site administrators. The flaw resides in the plugin's password reset functionality where the action=rp&key&login protection mechanism fails to properly validate user authentication tokens. This represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized users to bypass the intended protection measures and potentially gain access to administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the reset key parameter within the password recovery process. When users initiate a password reset, the system generates a unique key that should be validated before allowing access to the reset form. However, the wps-hide-login plugin fails to properly verify this key's authenticity, creating a path for attackers to exploit the reset mechanism without proper authorization. This type of flaw commonly maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The vulnerability allows attackers to construct malicious requests that appear legitimate to the plugin's validation logic, effectively circumventing the intended security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin version. Attackers can exploit this bypass to reset passwords for administrator accounts without proper authorization, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions that could result in data theft, site defacement, or the installation of malicious code. This type of access bypass aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 which covers credential access through various methods including password reset attacks. Organizations running vulnerable systems face increased risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches that could affect user privacy and business operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate upgrade to wps-hide-login version 1.5.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly validate reset keys. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of login and password reset activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as rate limiting for password reset requests and IP address monitoring can help reduce the effectiveness of automated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication token handling in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security audits and plugin updates remain essential for maintaining WordPress site security and preventing exploitation of known vulnerabilities.