CVE-2019-20360 in give Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw in Give before 2.5.5, a WordPress plugin, allowed unauthenticated users to bypass API authentication methods and access personally identifiable user information (PII) including names, addresses, IP addresses, and email addresses. Once an API key has been set to any meta key value from the wp_usermeta table, and the token is set to the corresponding MD5 hash of the meta key selected, one can make a request to the restricted endpoints, and thus access sensitive donor data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2024
This vulnerability in the Give WordPress plugin represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security of donor data management systems. The issue affects versions prior to 2.5.5 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how the plugin handles API key validation. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on the plugin for managing charitable donations and donor information. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized access to sensitive personally identifiable information through manipulation of the plugin's API authentication mechanism.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of API keys within the plugin's authentication system. Specifically, the vulnerability occurs when API keys are configured to reference meta key values from the wp_usermeta table, which is a standard WordPress database structure used to store user-related metadata. When an attacker identifies a valid meta key from this table, they can generate the corresponding MD5 hash and use it as a token to access restricted endpoints. This bypass mechanism exploits the trust placed in the meta key system and demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with common weakness patterns described in CWE-287, which addresses authentication issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with access to comprehensive donor profiles including names, addresses, IP addresses, and email addresses. This type of information is particularly valuable for identity theft, social engineering attacks, and targeted phishing campaigns. The vulnerability affects organizations that handle sensitive donor data, making it a significant concern for non-profit organizations, charities, and any entity using the Give plugin for donation management. The ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication credentials makes it particularly attractive to threat actors who may seek to monetize stolen donor information on the black market.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves the exploitation of unpatched software to gain unauthorized access to systems. The remediation strategy involves immediate patching to version 2.5.5 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass mechanism. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring for unusual API access patterns and consider implementing rate limiting on API endpoints. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication design and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive personal data. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all WordPress plugins and ensure regular update cycles to prevent similar issues from arising in the future, as this type of flaw represents a common attack vector in web application security breaches.