CVE-2024-12263 in Child Theme Creator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The Child Theme Creator by Orbisius plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the cloud_delete() and cloud_update() functions in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.5. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update and delete cloud snippets. Please note that this vulnerability was present in the Cloud Library Addon used by the plugin and not in the plugin itself, the cloud library has been removed entirely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12263 affects the Child Theme Creator plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting the Cloud Library Addon that was integrated with the main plugin functionality. This issue represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security model of the WordPress platform by allowing unauthorized data modification operations. The vulnerability exists within the cloud_delete() and cloud_update() functions, which are designed to manage cloud-based snippets stored in the plugin's cloud library system. These functions lack proper capability checks that should verify user permissions before executing destructive operations, creating a pathway for privilege escalation within the plugin's ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing capability verification mechanism that should enforce access controls based on user roles and permissions. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability falls under improper access control, where the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive operations. The absence of capability checks means that any authenticated user with Subscriber-level access or higher can exploit these functions to modify or delete cloud snippets that should be restricted to administrators or specific privileged roles. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation within the plugin's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it creates potential vectors for more severe security breaches within WordPress installations. Attackers with Subscriber-level access can manipulate cloud snippets that may contain configuration data, theme modifications, or other sensitive information stored in the cloud library. This capability allows for persistent modifications that could affect multiple users or even compromise the integrity of the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the cloud library addon, which typically stores data that persists across sessions and could be leveraged for maintaining access or causing long-term damage to the site's functionality.
The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.5.5, indicating a prolonged period during which the flaw remained unaddressed. This timeframe suggests that numerous WordPress installations may have been exposed to potential exploitation without the site administrators being aware of the risk. The vulnerability's presence in the Cloud Library Addon, which has since been removed entirely, demonstrates that the plugin developers recognized the severity of the issue and took corrective action by eliminating the problematic component. However, this remediation approach also highlights the importance of proper security auditing and continuous monitoring of plugin components to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.
Organizations and WordPress administrators should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version, verifying that the Cloud Library Addon has been completely removed from affected installations, and monitoring for any unauthorized modifications to cloud-based snippets. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of capability checks in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive data or providing administrative functions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers can leverage legitimate user accounts to perform unauthorized modifications. The incident underscores the necessity for comprehensive security testing including privilege escalation testing, capability validation, and regular security audits of third-party plugins to ensure robust protection against unauthorized access and data manipulation attacks.