CVE-2024-12018 in Snippet Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The Snippet Shortcodes plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized Shortcode Deletion due to missing authorization in all versions up to, and including, 4.1.6. Note that a nonce is used as authentication here, but the value is leaked. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to delete the plugin's Shortcodes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
The Snippet Shortcodes plugin for WordPress presents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected installations. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of shortcode deletion operations, where proper access controls have been omitted from the implementation. The flaw specifically affects all versions up to and including 4.1.6, creating a persistent risk for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's reliance on a nonce for authentication purposes, yet the nonce value itself becomes exposed through the application's behavior, effectively neutralizing the intended security mechanism.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the plugin's security architecture where the nonce value is inadvertently leaked during the deletion process. This leakage allows attackers to construct malicious requests that can bypass the intended authorization checks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only subscriber-level access or higher to exploit, meaning that any user with these privileges can perform unauthorized deletion operations on the plugin's shortcodes. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks where the system fails to verify that the request originates from a legitimate administrative user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, as it enables attackers to disrupt the functionality of websites that depend on the plugin's shortcode features. When unauthorized deletions occur, the affected shortcodes become unavailable for use, potentially breaking website functionality, content display, or user experience elements that rely on these specific shortcode implementations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to remove specific shortcodes that might contain sensitive information or serve critical website functions, leading to broader service degradation or potential data exposure scenarios.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which addresses "Incorrect Authorization" issues in software implementations. The flaw demonstrates poor access control implementation where the system fails to properly validate user permissions before executing destructive operations. The use of a leaked nonce as authentication represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how even seemingly secure authentication mechanisms can be compromised when implementation details are exposed. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials, as the attacker can leverage existing user accounts with subscriber privileges to execute unauthorized actions within the plugin's scope. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the Snippet Shortcodes plugin and review user permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.