CVE-2024-1803 in EmbedPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2024
The EmbedPress – Embed PDF, Google Docs, Vimeo, Wistia, Embed YouTube Videos, Audios, Maps & Embed Any Documents in Gutenberg & Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of functionality due to insufficient authorization validation on the PDF embed block in all versions up to, and including, 3.9.12. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to embed PDF blocks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1803 affects the EmbedPress plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool that enables users to embed various media types including PDF documents, video content, audio files, and maps within WordPress editor environments such as Gutenberg and Elementor. This plugin serves as a critical component for content creators and administrators who need to integrate external media into their websites while maintaining proper formatting and user experience. The issue stems from inadequate authorization controls within the plugin's PDF embedding functionality, specifically within the PDF embed block implementation. The vulnerability exists in all versions of the plugin up to and including version 3.9.12, making it a persistent threat across a significant portion of the plugin's user base.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's insufficient validation of user permissions when processing PDF embedding requests through the Gutenberg and Elementor block systems. An authenticated attacker with contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this weakness to manipulate the plugin's functionality and embed PDF blocks into posts or pages. This authorization bypass occurs because the plugin fails to properly verify that the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform the specific action of embedding PDF content. The vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authorization validation as classified by CWE-863, which specifically addresses situations where software fails to properly enforce access controls for operations that should require elevated privileges or specific user roles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized content embedding, as it creates a potential vector for attackers to manipulate website content in ways that could compromise site integrity and user experience. Contributors and higher-level users typically have limited capabilities within WordPress, but this vulnerability allows them to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators or editors. Attackers could potentially use this weakness to inject malicious PDF content, create misleading information, or exploit other vulnerabilities that may be present in PDF processing systems. The implications are particularly concerning in multi-user environments where contributor accounts may be compromised or where users have elevated privileges due to legitimate business requirements. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials and the use of compromised accounts to perform unauthorized actions within systems.
The security implications of this vulnerability are significant for WordPress sites relying on the EmbedPress plugin, as it creates an attack surface that allows privilege escalation through content manipulation. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their websites from potential exploitation. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of the EmbedPress plugin where this authorization flaw has been addressed. Additionally, administrators should review user roles and permissions to ensure that only trusted users have contributor-level access or higher. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual content embedding activities, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper input validation and authorization checks within all WordPress plugin development, particularly when dealing with content embedding functionality that may be accessible through various editor interfaces.