CVE-2021-4370 in uListing Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The uListing plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass as most actions and endpoints are accessible to unauthenticated users, lack security nonces, and data is seldom validated. This issue exists in versions up to, and including, 1.6.6. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to conduct numerous administrative actions, including those less critical than the explicitly outlined ones in our detection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The uListing plugin for WordPress presents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security model of the affected platform. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.6.6, creating a dangerous exposure where administrative functions become accessible to any unauthenticated user. The flaw stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper authentication checks across its core endpoints and actions, allowing attackers to exploit the system without requiring valid credentials or authorization tokens. The absence of security nonces further compounds the issue, eliminating the primary defense mechanism that would normally prevent cross-site request forgery attacks and ensure that requests originate from legitimate sources within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and access control enforcement throughout the plugin's codebase. Most actions and endpoints within the uListing plugin operate without proper authentication checks, meaning that attackers can manipulate the system through direct API calls or crafted requests to perform administrative tasks. This includes operations that should be restricted to authorized administrators, such as modifying listings, managing user accounts, or altering plugin configurations. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over WordPress installations that utilize this plugin, effectively bypassing the standard WordPress permission model that normally protects sensitive operations from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to conduct a wide range of malicious activities that can severely compromise WordPress installations. Unauthenticated users can exploit the vulnerability to modify or delete content, potentially leading to data corruption or complete site compromise. The lack of data validation means that attackers can inject malicious payloads or manipulate system parameters in ways that could affect site performance, user privacy, or even allow for further exploitation of the underlying WordPress platform. This vulnerability particularly affects sites that rely heavily on uListing for property or directory management, where unauthorized modifications could result in significant business disruption and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most critical step involves updating to the latest version of the uListing plugin where the authorization bypass has been addressed, as this represents the direct fix for the identified security flaw. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as rate limiting and access controls to minimize the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should be enforced throughout all WordPress plugin implementations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can enable further lateral movement within compromised WordPress environments, making it a critical concern for security operations teams managing multiple WordPress installations.