CVE-2024-13356 in DSGVO All in one Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2025
The DSGVO All in one for WP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 4.6. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation in the user_remove_form.php file. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete admin user accounts via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13356 affects the DSGVO All in one for WP plugin, a WordPress extension designed to help websites comply with data protection regulations. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of WordPress administrative functions. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's user management capabilities, specifically in how it handles authentication and authorization for user account modifications. The affected version range includes all releases up to and including version 4.6, indicating that a substantial portion of users may be exposed to this risk. The plugin's primary function revolves around data protection compliance, yet its implementation contains a fundamental flaw that could allow unauthorized users to manipulate administrative functions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper nonce validation within the user_remove_form.php file. Nonces, or number used once, serve as critical security tokens that verify the authenticity of requests and prevent unauthorized actions from being executed. In this case, the plugin fails to implement proper nonce verification when processing user deletion requests, creating an exploitable gap in its security architecture. The vulnerability manifests as a cross-site request forgery weakness that allows attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative sources. This particular implementation flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how the lack of proper input validation and request verification can lead to serious security implications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe given that it affects administrative user accounts without requiring authentication. An attacker can exploit this weakness by constructing a forged request that, when executed by an administrator, results in the deletion of user accounts. The attack vector relies on social engineering techniques where administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit the forged requests. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous because it doesn't require the attacker to have direct access to the WordPress admin panel or valid credentials. The consequences extend beyond simple account deletion, as administrators may lose access to critical system functions or face complete compromise of their website's user management capabilities.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and credential access techniques, specifically targeting the T1566.001 sub-technique related to credential access through social engineering. The attack requires minimal technical expertise from the threat actor while potentially delivering significant damage to the target organization. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest available version where the nonce validation has been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins that may suffer from similar nonce validation issues. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing proper security controls in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions and user data management.