CVE-2024-1564 in wp-schema-pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
The wp-schema-pro WordPress plugin before 2.7.16 does not validate post access allowing a contributor user to access custom fields on any post regardless of post type or status via a shortcode
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1564 affects the wp-schema-pro WordPress plugin version 2.7.15 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of WordPress sites relying on this plugin. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and authorization checks within the plugin's shortcode implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that directly violates fundamental security principles of privilege separation and least privilege access controls. The vulnerability specifically targets contributor-level users who should normally be restricted from accessing content they do not own or posts outside their designated access permissions.
The technical flaw manifests through the plugin's handling of shortcodes that retrieve and display custom fields from posts. When a contributor user crafts a specific shortcode request, the plugin fails to verify whether the requesting user has proper authorization to access the targeted post's custom fields. This validation gap occurs at multiple levels including post type restrictions, post status checks, and user role-based access controls that WordPress normally enforces. The vulnerability operates by bypassing the standard WordPress post access mechanisms that typically ensure users can only view content they are authorized to see based on their role, post ownership, and publication status. This flaw effectively allows unauthorized information disclosure through the manipulation of shortcode parameters that reference posts across different post types and statuses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise site integrity and user privacy. A malicious contributor could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive data from posts they should not normally be able to view, including drafts, private posts, or posts belonging to other users. The implications are particularly severe for sites that use the wp-schema-pro plugin for structured data markup and schema generation, as these features often involve accessing metadata and custom field information that may contain confidential or proprietary content. This vulnerability creates a persistent risk for sites where contributor users have elevated access rights or where the plugin is used to expose internal site data through schema markup.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1564 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 2.7.16 or later, which contain the necessary access validation fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular audit of user roles and capabilities, monitoring of shortcode usage patterns, and implementation of network-level restrictions that limit access to sensitive plugin endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could leverage contributor accounts to escalate their access and gather intelligence about site content. System administrators should also consider implementing Web Application Firewall rules that monitor and block suspicious shortcode parameter combinations, and conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred prior to patching.