CVE-2024-0682 in Page Restrict Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
The Page Restrict plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to information disclosure in all versions up to, and including, 2.5.5. This is due to the plugin not properly restricting access to posts via the REST API when a page has been made private. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to view protected posts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
The Page Restrict plugin for WordPress presents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2.5.5. This vulnerability stems from a fundamental flaw in the plugin's access control mechanisms within the WordPress REST API framework. The issue occurs when administrators designate specific pages as private or restricted, expecting that such content would be protected from unauthorized access. However, the plugin fails to implement proper authentication checks when serving content through the REST API endpoints, creating a significant security gap that undermines the intended privacy controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass the normal access restrictions that should prevent viewing of private content. When a page is marked as private within WordPress, the system typically enforces authentication requirements to ensure that only authorized users can access the content. The Page Restrict plugin's failure to properly implement these checks within the REST API context means that attackers can directly query the API endpoints without authentication credentials and retrieve the protected content. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the plugin's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive content that administrators intended to keep confidential. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to access private pages, posts, or other restricted content that might contain proprietary information, personal data, or confidential business details. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations that rely heavily on the REST API for content delivery and administrative functions, as it undermines the integrity of the access control system that WordPress provides by default. The exposure of private content through this vector could lead to reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences depending on the nature of the disclosed information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the access control flaw, as well as implementing additional security measures such as API rate limiting and monitoring for unauthorized REST API access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to REST API endpoints where possible, and conduct thorough audits of all installed plugins to identify similar access control vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through API access. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper access control implementation in WordPress plugins and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party extensions before deployment in production environments.