CVE-2019-9573 in WP Human Resource Management Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The WP Human Resource Management plugin before 2.2.6 for WordPress mishandles leave applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
The WP Human Resource Management plugin vulnerability CVE-2019-9573 represents a critical access control flaw in the WordPress ecosystem that allows unauthorized users to manipulate leave application data. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.6 and resides within the plugin's handling of employee leave requests, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation and data manipulation. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the leave application processing logic, enabling malicious actors to submit or modify leave requests without proper authorization. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access controls that are essential for human resource management systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user permissions during leave application submission and modification processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass the plugin's intended authorization mechanisms, potentially allowing them to approve, deny, or alter leave applications belonging to other employees. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to perform unauthorized actions such as approving fraudulent leave requests, modifying existing applications, or accessing sensitive employee leave data. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically representing insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to protected resources. The attack vector is typically executed through direct API calls or web interface manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9573 extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass potential financial losses, compliance violations, and reputational damage for organizations using the affected plugin. Unauthorized leave approvals can result in significant payroll discrepancies, as employees might be granted leave that should not have been approved, leading to direct financial losses. Additionally, the vulnerability creates opportunities for insider threats or external attacks to disrupt normal business operations by manipulating employee schedules and availability. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive personnel data becomes accessible to unauthorized parties, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements. The vulnerability also undermines trust in the organization's HR systems and can be exploited as a foothold for further attacks within the WordPress environment. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage compromised plugin functionality to gain elevated privileges within the HR management system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9573 primarily involve immediate patching of the WP Human Resource Management plugin to version 2.2.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to WordPress administration interfaces and establish robust monitoring for unauthorized leave application modifications. Security administrators should review and tighten access controls within the WordPress environment, ensuring that only authorized HR personnel can submit or modify leave applications. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, conducting regular security audits of installed plugins, and maintaining up-to-date inventory of all WordPress components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive human resources data, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments of third-party plugins in WordPress environments.