CVE-2024-13428 in WP Job Portal Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/01/2025
The WP Job Portal – A Complete Recruitment System for Company or Job Board website plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in all versions up to, and including, 2.2.6 via the deleteCompanyLogo() due to missing validation on a user controlled key. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary company logos.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The WP Job Portal plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as Insecure Direct Object Reference under CVE-2024-13428. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.2.6, creating a significant risk for websites utilizing the plugin's recruitment system functionality. The flaw specifically manifests within the deleteCompanyLogo() function, which fails to properly validate user-controlled input parameters. This improper validation allows malicious actors to manipulate object references and delete company logos without proper authentication, fundamentally undermining the integrity of the plugin's file management capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper access control measures within the plugin's core functionality. When the deleteCompanyLogo() method processes requests, it does not validate whether the requesting user possesses legitimate authorization to modify or delete specific company logo files. The vulnerability operates through a direct object reference pattern where an attacker can construct malicious requests using arbitrary identifiers that correspond to company logo files, bypassing standard authentication mechanisms entirely. This misconfiguration aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to exploit the plugin's file deletion functionality by manipulating parameters that should be restricted to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, creating potential risks for business continuity and data integrity. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this weakness to remove company logos, potentially disrupting job board presentations and damaging brand visibility. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on the plugin for recruitment management, as it could enable attackers to systematically remove visual branding elements from company profiles, undermining the professional appearance of job listings and potentially causing confusion among job seekers. The lack of authentication checks means that any internet-facing system using this plugin becomes immediately vulnerable to exploitation, as attackers need no credentials to perform destructive actions. This weakness can also facilitate more sophisticated attacks by allowing attackers to establish persistence through file manipulation or to disrupt service availability by removing essential visual elements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-13428 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to address the root cause of the insecure direct object reference vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control measures that validate user permissions before processing file deletion requests, ensuring that only authenticated administrators can perform such operations. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and rate limiting controls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough audits of company logo files and implement proper backup procedures to recover from potential deletions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the need for proper input validation and access control mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that track file modification activities to detect unauthorized deletions and maintain comprehensive security logging for forensic analysis. Regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential for identifying similar vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and user data protection.