CVE-2024-35722 in Slider Responsive Slideshow Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in A WP Life Slider Responsive Slideshow – Image slider, Gallery slideshow.This issue affects Slider Responsive Slideshow – Image slider, Gallery slideshow: from n/a through 1.4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35722 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the WP Life Slider Responsive Slideshow plugin for WordPress systems. This weakness allows unauthorized users to bypass intended access controls and potentially perform administrative actions or access restricted content. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from an unspecified initial version through 1.4.0, indicating that all installations within this range are susceptible to exploitation. The issue stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate privileges or access sensitive functionality without proper authentication.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which describes improper authorization conditions that allow actors to access resources or perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. In the context of WordPress plugins, this typically occurs when the plugin fails to properly verify user roles or capabilities before executing sensitive operations. The flaw likely exists in the plugin's administrative interfaces or API endpoints where it does not adequately check whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform the requested action. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious requests that target the plugin's backend functionality, potentially gaining access to media libraries, modifying slider configurations, or even executing arbitrary code if the plugin's architecture allows such operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the website's visual content presentation and potentially compromise the entire site's integrity. Given that this is a slideshow plugin, unauthorized access could allow attackers to modify or replace images in the slider, potentially displaying malicious content or disrupting the website's user experience. The vulnerability could also facilitate more severe attacks if the plugin's functionality allows for file uploads or database modifications, as attackers might be able to inject malicious content or alter the plugin's configuration in ways that persist across site operations. Additionally, since this affects a widely used plugin, the potential for mass exploitation increases significantly, particularly if the plugin is installed on multiple sites that have not been properly updated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-35722 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, reviewing user permissions and capabilities within the WordPress installation, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models where plugin access is restricted to only those users who require administrative capabilities for specific functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other plugins or components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in access control implementation.