CVE-2024-28003 in Max Mega Menu Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Megamenu Max Mega Menu.This issue affects Max Mega Menu: from n/a through 3.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2024
The CVE-2024-28003 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Megamenu Max Mega Menu plugin, a widely used WordPress navigation solution. This vulnerability exists in versions ranging from unspecified earlier versions through 3.3, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites that rely on this menu management system. The flaw stems from insufficient access controls that allow unauthorized users to perform administrative functions typically restricted to privileged accounts. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-863 category of "Incorrect Authorization" which specifically addresses situations where the system fails to properly verify that an actor is authorized to perform a requested action. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized operations within the plugin's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this authorization bypass occurs at the plugin level where user permissions are not properly validated before executing sensitive operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate menu configurations, potentially leading to unauthorized content modifications, redirection attacks, or even complete compromise of the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple menu manipulation as it provides a foothold for further exploitation within the WordPress ecosystem. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078.004 which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" and T1548.002 which addresses "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control." The missing authorization check allows attackers to perform privilege escalation activities that would normally be restricted to administrators or users with appropriate permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28003 is severe for WordPress site administrators and organizations relying on the Max Mega Menu plugin. Unauthenticated attackers can potentially modify navigation structures to redirect users to malicious sites, inject harmful scripts, or manipulate menu items to gain further access to the WordPress backend. This vulnerability particularly affects websites where the plugin is used for complex navigation structures or where menu modifications directly impact user experience and site functionality. The risk is amplified in environments where multiple users have access to the WordPress admin interface, as the vulnerability could be exploited to gain elevated privileges and perform operations that compromise the entire site. Organizations running affected versions should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28003 should focus on immediate patching of the Max Mega Menu plugin to the latest version that addresses the authorization flaw. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular monitoring of plugin updates, implementing strong access controls, and conducting periodic security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authorization checks in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control issues can lead to significant security breaches. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should review their WordPress security practices and ensure that all plugins and themes undergo regular security assessments to identify similar authorization flaws that could compromise their digital infrastructure. The remediation process should include verifying that the patch has been properly applied and testing that normal menu functionality remains intact while unauthorized access attempts are properly blocked.