CVE-2024-1870 in Colibri Page Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/09/2024
The Colibri Page Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the callActivateLicenseEndpoint function in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.260. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber access or higher, to update the license key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1870 affects the Colibri Page Builder plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of license management within the platform. This issue stems from a fundamental lack of proper access control mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically within the callActivateLicenseEndpoint function that handles license activation processes. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.260, indicating a prolonged period during which this security gap was present and potentially exploitable by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this flaw lies in the absence of capability checks that should normally validate user permissions before allowing sensitive operations to proceed. In WordPress security architecture, capability checks serve as fundamental access control mechanisms that ensure only users with appropriate privileges can perform administrative functions. The missing validation in this endpoint means that any authenticated user, regardless of their role level, can potentially manipulate license keys through the plugin's interface. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly associated with privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress site administrators and users who rely on the Colibri Page Builder plugin for their website construction and management needs. An authenticated attacker with subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this weakness to modify license information, potentially leading to unauthorized access to premium features, license key theft, or disruption of legitimate license management processes. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to premium plugin functionalities that should be restricted to authorized users only, potentially resulting in financial loss for legitimate license holders and compromised website integrity.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient authorization checks can create security holes that allow attackers to perform actions beyond their intended privileges. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where attackers leverage weak access controls to elevate their permissions within a system. Organizations using the affected plugin version should immediately consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for more extensive attacks, as license key manipulation can often serve as a precursor to broader system compromise.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the Colibri Page Builder plugin to the latest version that addresses this capability check deficiency. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of license-related activities within their WordPress installations to detect any unauthorized modifications. Network segmentation and role-based access control measures can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits of installed plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components and prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.