CVE-2024-10393 in Tutor LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/21/2024
The Tutor LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to bypass to user registration in versions up to, and including, 2.7.6. This is due to a missing check for the 'users_can_register' option in the 'register_instructor' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to register as the default role on the site, even if registration is disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10393 affects the Tutor LMS plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions up to and including 2.7.6. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental access control mechanisms of WordPress sites utilizing this learning management system plugin. The vulnerability stems from a deliberate omission in the plugin's codebase that fails to validate essential WordPress configuration settings before permitting user registration processes to proceed. The Tutor LMS plugin, designed to facilitate online education platforms, contains a function called 'register_instructor' that serves as the primary mechanism for new user enrollment within the system. When the WordPress site administrator has disabled public user registration through the 'users_can_register' option, the plugin should respect this configuration and prevent unauthorized registration attempts. However, the current implementation lacks this crucial validation check, creating an exploitable gap in the platform's security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of a verification step within the 'register_instructor' function that would normally inspect the WordPress core setting 'users_can_register' to determine whether public registration is permitted. This missing validation creates a direct pathway for unauthenticated attackers to circumvent the intended access controls and register new users with the default role assigned to the WordPress installation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and access control enforcement, which aligns with CWE-639 Access Control Bypass. When attackers exploit this vulnerability, they can register new accounts without proper authentication or authorization, potentially gaining access to restricted areas of the platform and compromising the integrity of the user management system. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates silently without requiring any special privileges or advanced techniques, making it easily exploitable by threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized registration, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of WordPress sites using the Tutor LMS plugin. Attackers can register new accounts with default roles that typically include limited privileges but can still be leveraged for further attacks, such as spamming, content manipulation, or credential harvesting. The vulnerability affects the entire user registration flow within the plugin, potentially allowing attackers to create multiple accounts and establish persistent access points. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, where adversaries establish footholds using legitimate credentials obtained through account creation. The consequences can be particularly severe for educational institutions or businesses relying on Tutor LMS for their online training programs, as unauthorized users might gain access to course materials, student data, or administrative functions depending on the system configuration. Additionally, the vulnerability creates potential for privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can exploit the registration process to gain higher-level access within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-10393 should prioritize immediate patching of the Tutor LMS plugin to the latest version where this vulnerability has been addressed. Site administrators should also conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any unauthorized user accounts that may have been created through this vulnerability. The recommended approach includes implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual registration patterns, particularly when the 'users_can_register' option is disabled. Security teams should consider deploying web application firewalls or intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious registration attempts and automatically block them. Furthermore, administrators should review and harden their WordPress core configurations, ensuring that all security best practices are implemented including regular updates, proper file permissions, and comprehensive backup procedures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation within WordPress plugins, emphasizing that third-party components must maintain the same security standards as core platform functionality. Organizations should also implement automated vulnerability scanning processes that can identify similar issues in other plugins and themes, preventing the exploitation of similar flaws across their digital infrastructure.