CVE-2024-1904 in MasterStudy LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
The MasterStudy LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the search_posts function in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.13. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to expose draft post titles and excerpts.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1904 affects the MasterStudy LMS plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 3.2.13. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the integrity of content access controls within the learning management system. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental missing capability check within the plugin's search_posts function, which is designed to handle content search operations but fails to properly validate user permissions before returning sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the search_posts function where the plugin does not adequately verify whether the authenticated user possesses sufficient privileges to access the requested content. This function operates without proper capability checks that would normally ensure only users with appropriate permissions can view draft content. The flaw allows attackers with subscriber-level access or higher to exploit this function and retrieve draft post titles and excerpts that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the plugin's access control mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for educational institutions and organizations using the MasterStudy LMS plugin. Attackers with subscriber accounts can potentially discover unpublished course materials, lesson plans, or other sensitive educational content that has not yet been made public. The exposure of draft content can lead to information leakage that may compromise curriculum planning, reveal upcoming course structures, or provide insights into content that has not been finalized. This type of information disclosure can have both strategic and competitive implications for educational providers who rely on the confidentiality of their course development processes.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This weakness manifests as an insufficient authorization check that allows unauthorized access to protected resources. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, and more broadly to T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through the existing search functionality, making it particularly concerning for systems where user accounts are easily accessible.
Organizations should immediately update their MasterStudy LMS plugin to version 3.2.14 or later, which contains the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthorized access to draft content. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual search activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include reviewing user role assignments to ensure that only authorized personnel have subscriber-level access, implementing network-level restrictions on API endpoints, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the security gap is properly addressed.