CVE-2024-35665 in Insert Post Ads Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in namithjawahar Insert Post Ads.This issue affects Insert Post Ads: from n/a through 1.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2024
The CVE-2024-35665 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Insert Post Ads plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 1.3.2. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient authorization issues that can severely compromise the security posture of WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate user permissions before executing administrative functions, creating a pathway for unauthorized individuals to perform actions they should not be permitted to carry out.
This missing authorization vulnerability creates a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where users without proper administrative credentials can potentially manipulate the plugin's functionality. The flaw likely exists in the plugin's backend processing logic where access controls are either absent or improperly implemented, allowing any authenticated user to execute administrative operations that should be restricted to administrators or specific user roles. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authorization layer, meaning that even if a user has basic authentication credentials, they can bypass the normal permission checks that would normally prevent them from modifying plugin settings or content.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability can have significant impact on WordPress sites using the affected plugin. Attackers who exploit this weakness could potentially insert malicious advertisements, modify existing ad placements, or even gain access to sensitive configuration data within the plugin. The attack surface extends beyond simple advertisement manipulation to include potential data exfiltration or the introduction of malicious content that could affect site visitors. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that the underlying authorization mechanism was not properly addressed in the plugin's development lifecycle, indicating a potential gap in security testing and code review processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which addresses "Incorrect Authorization" issues in software systems. This weakness represents a fundamental breakdown in access control mechanisms where the system fails to properly verify that an actor has adequate authorization to perform a requested operation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which encompasses credential harvesting and initial access techniques. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within compromised WordPress environments, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-35665 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that have addressed the authorization flaw, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual administrative activities within their WordPress installations, particularly around plugin management functions. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar authorization issues, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader security weaknesses in plugin development practices. Additionally, implementing proper role-based access controls and regularly reviewing user permissions can help minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities, while maintaining detailed logging of administrative activities to aid in incident response and forensic analysis.