CVE-2024-13529 in SocialV Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2025
The SocialV - Social Network and Community BuddyPress Theme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the 'socialv_send_download_file' function in all versions up to, and including, 2.0.15. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to download arbitrary files from the target system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13529 affects the SocialV WordPress theme version 2.0.15 and earlier, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected websites. This issue stems from a missing capability check within the 'socialv_send_download_file' function, which operates without proper validation of user permissions. The flaw specifically targets authenticated users who possess Subscriber-level access or higher, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that could potentially expose sensitive information stored on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the theme's file download functionality where the 'socialv_send_download_file' function fails to verify whether the requesting user has appropriate authorization levels to access the requested files. This missing capability check creates a privilege escalation scenario where attackers can leverage their existing subscriber status to perform actions beyond their intended access rights. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects WordPress installations utilizing the SocialV theme, making it particularly concerning for websites that host sensitive user data or proprietary content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to download arbitrary files from the target system, potentially exposing confidential information including user data, configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive resources. The attack vector requires minimal privileges, as subscribers can exploit this flaw without needing administrator-level access, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for sites with compromised subscriber accounts. This weakness can facilitate further attacks including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, or potential privilege escalation to higher administrative roles.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a manifestation of CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization within software applications. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts for unauthorized access, as attackers can leverage existing user accounts to access restricted functionality. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate theme updates to versions that address the missing capability check, along with implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls, monitoring for unusual file download activities, and conducting thorough security audits of WordPress installations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and restricting file permissions to minimize potential impact from such vulnerabilities.