CVE-2024-30507 in Molongui Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Molongui.This issue affects Molongui: from n/a through 4.7.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2024
The CVE-2024-30507 vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw in the Molongui plugin ecosystem that allows unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges through manipulation of user-controlled keys. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions of Molongui ranging from the initial release through version 4.7.7, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for various functionalities. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user inputs within the authorization mechanisms, enabling malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted key parameters that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of authentication tokens and access control mechanisms where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized or validated before being processed for authorization decisions. When users interact with the plugin's administrative functions, the system accepts potentially malicious key values without proper verification, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and assume roles or permissions they should not possess. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-285 category of improper authorization, specifically manifesting as an authorization bypass that occurs due to inadequate validation of user-controlled inputs. The flaw operates at the intersection of authentication and authorization processes, where the system fails to properly verify the legitimacy of key parameters used to determine access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to perform administrative actions such as modifying plugin configurations, accessing sensitive data, or even compromising the entire WordPress installation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges from a regular user to an administrator level, depending on how the plugin's permission system is structured. This authorization bypass creates a pathway for persistent access and could be combined with other vulnerabilities to achieve more comprehensive system compromise. The attack vector typically involves manipulating request parameters or form inputs that are supposed to contain secure keys or tokens, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web application attack methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to the latest available version of Molongui where the authorization bypass has been resolved. Administrators must also implement additional security measures such as input validation and sanitization at multiple layers of the application, ensuring that all user-controlled data undergoes proper verification before being processed for authorization decisions. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other plugins or custom code. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for proper access control validation and the principle of least privilege implementation.