CVE-2021-4412 in WP Prayer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
The WP Prayer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.6.5. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the save() and export() functions. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to save plugin settings and trigger a data export via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2023
The WP Prayer plugin for WordPress represents a widely used tool for managing prayer-related functionalities within wordpress environments, yet it contained a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that exposed installations to unauthorized administrative actions. This vulnerability specifically affected versions up to and including 1.6.5, creating a persistent security risk for wordpress sites that relied on the plugin for their prayer management operations. The flaw manifested in the plugin's failure to implement proper nonce validation mechanisms within its core administrative functions, particularly the save() and export() methods that handle critical configuration data and user information respectively. The absence of these security tokens meant that malicious actors could craft forged requests that would appear legitimate to the wordpress system, effectively bypassing the standard authentication and authorization checks that normally protect administrative operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the fundamental design flaw in the plugin's request handling process where the save() and export() functions lacked proper validation of request authenticity. This weakness aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities in web applications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by constructing malicious requests that would execute administrative actions without requiring authentication, provided they could successfully trick a logged-in administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a malicious link. The attack vector typically involved social engineering techniques where administrators would be诱导ed to visit compromised websites or click on malicious links within email communications or other trusted sources. The vulnerability's impact was particularly concerning because it allowed unauthenticated attackers to modify plugin settings and initiate data export operations that could potentially expose sensitive user information or disrupt normal operational procedures.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extended beyond simple privilege escalation, as it created opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire wordpress installations. When administrators performed actions such as saving plugin configurations or triggering data exports, these operations could be hijacked by attackers to modify critical system parameters, potentially leading to service disruption or data manipulation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicated a systemic issue in the plugin's development lifecycle, suggesting inadequate security testing and code review processes. Organizations using the WP Prayer plugin were particularly at risk because the vulnerability required minimal user interaction to exploit, making it highly effective in real-world scenarios where administrators might inadvertently click on malicious links. The potential for data exfiltration through the export() function was especially concerning as it could provide attackers with access to prayer request data, user contact information, and other sensitive data collected through the plugin's functionality.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focused on immediate version updates to patched releases that implemented proper nonce validation mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data extraction and T1566.001 for spearphishing with links. System administrators were advised to conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify affected installations and implement the latest plugin versions from the official wordpress repository. Additionally, organizations should enhance their security awareness training programs to educate administrators about recognizing and avoiding suspicious links that could facilitate CSRF attacks. Network monitoring solutions were recommended to detect anomalous administrative activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The incident highlighted the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in wordpress plugins, particularly those handling sensitive user data or administrative functions. Organizations were encouraged to implement additional security layers such as web application firewalls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other third-party plugins. The vulnerability also underscored the necessity of maintaining updated security practices and ensuring that all wordpress components undergo rigorous security testing before deployment in production environments, emphasizing the principle of defense in depth as outlined in cybersecurity frameworks and industry best practices.