CVE-2020-36730 in CMP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The CMP for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on the cmp_get_post_detail(), niteo_export_csv(), and cmp_disable_comingsoon_ajax() functions in versions up to, and including, 3.8.1. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read posts, export subscriber lists, and/or deactivate the plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36730 affects the CMP for WordPress plugin, a widely used tool for managing cookie consent and compliance with privacy regulations. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental security controls designed to protect sensitive plugin functionality. The vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 3.8.1, making a substantial user base potentially exposed to unauthorized access and manipulation of plugin features. The affected functions cmp_get_post_detail(), niteo_export_csv(), and cmp_disable_comingsoon_ajax() all lack proper capability checks that should verify user permissions before executing sensitive operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of authentication and authorization validation within three specific plugin functions. When these functions are invoked without proper capability verification, any unauthenticated user can execute them, effectively bypassing the intended access controls. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in input validation and access control mechanisms. The cmp_get_post_detail() function allows unauthorized users to read post content that should typically be restricted to authenticated administrators or authorized personnel. The niteo_export_csv() function enables attackers to extract subscriber lists and user data, potentially exposing sensitive personal information. The cmp_disable_comingsoon_ajax() function provides the ability to deactivate plugin functionality, which could disrupt website operations or remove important compliance features.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential service disruption and privacy violations. Attackers could systematically harvest content from websites using the plugin, potentially accessing sensitive information or intellectual property that should remain protected. The subscriber list export functionality poses significant privacy risks, as it could expose personal data of website visitors and users. Additionally, the ability to disable plugin functionality creates opportunities for denial-of-service attacks or the removal of compliance mechanisms that are essential for meeting legal requirements such as GDPR or CCPA. This vulnerability affects organizations that rely on the CMP plugin for cookie consent management and privacy compliance, potentially leaving them vulnerable to regulatory violations and legal consequences.
Security mitigation for this vulnerability requires immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability checks. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify all affected plugin versions and ensure timely updates are deployed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle that operations requiring administrative privileges must verify user authorization before execution. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to plugin endpoints and consider implementing additional access controls such as IP whitelisting for administrative functions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, as attackers can leverage the missing capability checks to gain unauthorized access to restricted functions. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for similar authorization bypass flaws in other WordPress plugins to prevent similar issues from affecting the broader ecosystem.