CVE-2024-0710 in GP Unique ID Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The GP Unique ID plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Unique ID Modification in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.5. This is due to insufficient input validation. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to tamper with the generation of a unique ID on a form submission and replace the generated unique ID with a user-controlled one, leading to a loss of integrity in cases where the ID's uniqueness is relied upon in a security-specific context.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0710 affects the GP Unique ID plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool designed to generate and manage unique identifiers within web forms. This plugin operates by creating distinctive identification numbers that are typically employed in security-sensitive contexts where the uniqueness and integrity of identifiers are paramount. The flaw manifests in versions up to and including 1.5.5, representing a critical weakness in the plugin's input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data during the form submission process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the unique ID generation mechanism. This issue falls under the category of weak input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, and represents a fundamental security flaw that can undermine the integrity of systems relying on unique identifiers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an unauthenticated attacker submits a form through the affected WordPress site. Due to the lack of proper input validation, the attacker can manipulate the unique ID generation process by injecting a user-controlled value that replaces the system-generated identifier. This modification compromises the fundamental principle of uniqueness that the plugin is designed to enforce, allowing attackers to potentially bypass security controls that depend on these identifiers for access management or authentication purposes. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it fundamentally undermines trust in the identifier system, potentially enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users or gain unauthorized access to restricted resources. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which involves valid accounts and can be leveraged to create persistent access by manipulating unique identifiers used for security controls.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for WordPress sites utilizing the GP Unique ID plugin, particularly those in environments where unique identifiers are critical for security operations. Organizations relying on these identifiers for form validation, access control, or audit tracking may experience compromised security postures, as attackers can exploit the modification capability to gain unauthorized access or manipulate system behaviors. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation running the affected plugin version, making it a widespread concern across various deployment scenarios including enterprise environments, e-commerce platforms, and content management systems. Security monitoring systems may fail to detect this attack vector since the manipulation occurs within legitimate form submission processes, making it particularly stealthy and dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0710 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version that addresses the input validation weakness. Administrators should also implement additional security controls such as rate limiting on form submissions, enhanced monitoring of unique ID generation patterns, and regular security audits of plugin configurations. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing input sanitization measures at the application level and ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous validation before being processed. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks in security-critical applications. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of other plugins and custom code that rely on unique identifier generation to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader application ecosystem.