CVE-2021-4364 in JobSearch WP Job Board Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The JobSearch WP Job Board plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on the jobsearch_add_job_import_schedule_call() function in versions up to, and including, 1.8.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers to add and/or modify schedule calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The CVE-2021-4364 vulnerability affects the JobSearch WP Job Board plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security model of the affected system. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's jobsearch_add_job_import_schedule_call() function, which fails to properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to exploit the missing capability check and perform unauthorized actions that should be restricted to privileged users only. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects versions up to and including 1.8.1, indicating that a significant portion of users may be exposed to this risk without awareness. The plugin's architecture appears to lack proper access control mechanisms for administrative functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors who have gained legitimate user credentials to escalate their privileges within the job board system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of capability validation within the jobsearch_add_job_import_schedule_call() function, which operates under the assumption that any authenticated user can perform job scheduling operations. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. The function's failure to verify whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate administrative capabilities creates an exploitable gap in the plugin's permission system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate job import schedules without proper authorization, potentially disrupting normal operations or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive job-related data. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it operates within a WordPress environment where user authentication is already established, making the attack surface more accessible to those who have already compromised legitimate user accounts.
From an operational perspective, this authorization bypass vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on the JobSearch WP Job Board plugin for their recruitment processes. Attackers can modify job import schedules to disrupt automated data processing workflows, potentially causing delays in job postings or creating inconsistencies in job listings. The ability to add unauthorized schedule calls could lead to the injection of malicious data or the execution of unintended automated processes that might compromise system integrity. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access patterns through scheduled job operations. Organizations may experience service disruptions, data corruption, or unauthorized modifications to their job board content, which could affect their recruitment processes and potentially expose sensitive candidate information. The nature of the flaw suggests that attackers could use it to maintain long-term access to the system through scheduled operations that execute with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-4364 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability check in the jobsearch_add_job_import_schedule_call() function. System administrators must ensure that all instances of the JobSearch WP Job Board plugin are updated to the latest secure versions that implement proper access controls and capability validation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable plugin versions and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized schedule modifications. The implementation of additional security layers such as role-based access controls, regular permission reviews, and audit logging for administrative operations can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring of job board related traffic can provide early detection of suspicious activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in the CWE taxonomy. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through scheduled tasks, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing security controls based on these frameworks.