CVE-2024-10399 in Download Monitor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
The Download Monitor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the ajax_search_users function in all versions up to, and including, 5.0.13. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to obtain usernames and emails of site users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The CVE-2024-10399 vulnerability affects the Download Monitor plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 5.0.13. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the plugin's ability to properly validate user permissions. The vulnerability stems from a missing capability check within the ajax_search_users function, which is designed to handle user search operations through asynchronous requests. This function should have enforced strict permission controls to ensure that only authorized users could access sensitive user information, but instead it allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher to exploit this functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of user capabilities within the plugin's ajax endpoint. When the ajax_search_users function processes requests, it fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges to access user data. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers who have gained Subscriber-level access or higher to make unauthorized requests that would normally be restricted to administrators or editors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate plugin functionality to expose sensitive user information without proper authorization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress sites using the affected Download Monitor plugin. Attackers with Subscriber-level access can systematically harvest usernames and email addresses of all site users, potentially enabling social engineering attacks, credential stuffing attempts, or further exploitation through phishing campaigns. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as this data can be used to map user relationships, identify potential targets for more sophisticated attacks, or facilitate account takeover attempts. The vulnerability affects all authenticated users with Subscriber access or higher, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying levels of access.
The security implications of CVE-2024-10399 align with CWE-863, which addresses "Incorrect Authorization" issues in software systems. This classification accurately describes the root cause of the vulnerability where the system fails to properly verify that users have the appropriate authorization level before granting access to sensitive data. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as the exposure of user credentials and email addresses can facilitate unauthorized access to cloud services and other systems. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain that could lead to privilege escalation, data breaches, or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-10399 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 5.0.14 or later, which contains the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthorized access. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of ajax endpoints to detect unusual patterns of user data access requests. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that users only have the minimum necessary permissions to perform their required tasks. Organizations should conduct regular security audits of their WordPress plugins to identify and remediate similar authorization issues. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security training for administrators and users can help identify suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.