CVE-2019-25149 in Gallery Images Ape Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The Gallery Images Ape plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary Plugin Deactivation in versions up to, and including, 2.0.6. This allows authenticated attackers with any capability level to deactivate any plugin on the site, including plugins necessary to site functionality or security.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25149 affects the Gallery Images Ape plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.0.6. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and stability of WordPress installations by allowing unauthorized plugin deactivation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and input validation within the plugin's administrative functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the site's plugin ecosystem. The issue is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to disable essential plugins that may be critical for site functionality, security, or both, potentially leading to cascading failures in the WordPress environment.
The technical flaw manifests through improper authorization checks within the plugin's deactivation mechanism. When authenticated users attempt to deactivate plugins through the WordPress admin interface, the system fails to properly validate whether the user has appropriate privileges to perform such actions. This weakness allows any authenticated user regardless of their role or capability level to submit deactivation requests for plugins beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269, which deals with improper privilege management, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system security. Attackers can exploit this flaw to remove critical security plugins such as firewall solutions, backup systems, or two-factor authentication modules, thereby weakening the overall security posture of the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple inconvenience, as it provides attackers with a powerful means of disrupting site functionality and compromising security. When an attacker deactivates essential plugins, they can effectively create backdoors or disable protective measures, potentially leading to complete site compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate functionality of the site but also introduces long-term security risks by removing security controls that may have been protecting the system from other attack vectors. This type of vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through legitimate system tools, and can be leveraged to establish persistent access or facilitate further exploitation. The ability to selectively disable plugins also allows attackers to avoid detection by removing security monitoring or logging plugins that might have otherwise flagged their activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-25149 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, while also implementing comprehensive access control measures. Organizations should ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated and that only trusted administrators have elevated privileges within the system. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual plugin deactivation patterns, as these activities may indicate compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly focusing on the prevention of privilege escalation attacks. Administrators should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can identify and alert on unauthorized plugin modifications, as well as establishing robust backup and recovery procedures to quickly restore functionality if plugins are maliciously deactivated. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include verification of plugin permissions and access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.