CVE-2023-26009 in Houzez Login Register Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in favethemes Houzez Login Register allows Privilege Escalation.This issue affects Houzez Login Register: from n/a through 2.6.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2024
The CVE-2023-26009 vulnerability represents a critical improper privilege management flaw within the favethemes Houzez Login Register plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.6.3. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the WordPress plugin ecosystem, where the flaw allows unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and gain elevated access rights. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and enforcement of user permissions during the login and registration processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient input sanitization and privilege verification within the plugin's core functionality. When users attempt to log in or register through the Houzez Login Register system, the application fails to properly validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform specific actions. This weakness creates a privilege escalation vector where low-privilege users can potentially assume administrator or higher-level roles within the WordPress environment. The flaw operates at the application layer and directly impacts the integrity of the authentication system, as it allows for unauthorized modification of user roles and capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to execute a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress installation. Once an attacker successfully exploits this privilege escalation vulnerability, they can modify or delete content, install malicious plugins, alter user permissions, and potentially gain complete control over the website. This represents a significant threat to website owners and their users, as it undermines the fundamental security model of WordPress installations. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of user management and authentication, making it particularly dangerous for real estate websites that rely heavily on user-generated content and property listings.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management in software systems. The flaw aligns with the broader category of access control weaknesses that have been consistently identified as critical security risks in web applications. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and credential access, making it a valuable target for threat actors seeking persistent access to WordPress environments. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates, and implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unauthorized privilege changes and enforcing strict access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.6.4 or later, which should contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of user role changes and authentication events to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and security hardening measures can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar privilege management issues. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls to minimize the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for thorough security testing of authentication mechanisms in web applications.