CVE-2021-4346 in uListing Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The uListing plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Unauthenticated Arbitrary Account Changes in versions up to, and including, 1.6.6. This is due to missing login checks on the stm_listing_profile_edit AJAX action. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to edit any account on the blog, such as changing the admin account's email address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2023
The uListing plugin for WordPress represents a popular solution for creating real estate and property listing websites, with version 1.6.6 containing a critical security vulnerability that affects unauthenticated users. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of AJAX requests, specifically in the stm_listing_profile_edit endpoint which lacks proper authentication verification. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate user account details without requiring valid credentials, fundamentally compromising the platform's user management system. Security researchers identified that this issue stems from insufficient input validation and authentication controls within the plugin's core functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of AJAX requests targeting the stm_listing_profile_edit action handler. Attackers can craft malicious requests that bypass the normal authentication flow, allowing them to modify user profiles including administrative accounts. The flaw specifically affects the plugin's profile editing functionality, where the system fails to verify whether the requesting user is authenticated before processing account modification requests. This authentication bypass enables attackers to change email addresses, passwords, and potentially other user attributes for any account on the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple profile changes as it provides attackers with a foothold for further compromise of administrative privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for WordPress sites utilizing the uListing plugin, particularly those with administrative accounts that have critical system access. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any visitor to the website can potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous for high-traffic sites. The ability to modify admin account email addresses directly undermines the security of the entire platform, as it can be used to gain further access through password reset mechanisms or to redirect critical notifications. Organizations using this plugin face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and possible complete system compromise if attackers can escalate privileges through the modified administrative accounts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations, including updating to the patched version of the uListing plugin where available. System administrators should implement additional security measures such as monitoring AJAX endpoints for unusual activity patterns and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-306, which addresses missing authentication for critical functions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage compromised administrative credentials to maintain persistent access. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations, review user permissions, and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to user accounts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments remain essential for maintaining the overall security posture of WordPress environments.