CVE-2024-37119 in Uncanny Automator Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Uncanny Owl Uncanny Automator Pro allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Uncanny Automator Pro: from n/a through 5.3.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37119 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Uncanny Owl Uncanny Automator Pro plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 5.3.0.0. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The flaw exists at the authorization layer where the system does not adequately verify whether authenticated users possess the necessary privileges to perform specific actions within the plugin's interface.
This missing authorization vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running the affected plugin, as it allows unauthorized users to exploit administrative functionalities that should only be accessible to privileged accounts. The flaw operates by bypassing proper access control checks that should normally validate user roles and permissions before executing sensitive operations. Attackers who can exploit this vulnerability may gain access to administrative panels, modify plugin configurations, or perform actions that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The issue specifically affects the plugin's security architecture where access control mechanisms are either absent or improperly implemented, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates poor access control implementation where the system fails to enforce proper security boundaries between different user roles. The affected plugin versions likely contain code paths that do not properly check user capabilities or roles before executing administrative functions, allowing any authenticated user to potentially perform actions reserved for administrators or editors. This misconfiguration creates a persistent security gap that remains exploitable across the specified version range, indicating a fundamental flaw in the plugin's security design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the automation workflows that the plugin manages. Attackers could potentially modify or delete automated processes, inject malicious code into workflows, or alter the plugin's configuration to create backdoors within the system. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that the underlying access control implementation has not been properly addressed in the plugin's development lifecycle. This type of flaw often indicates inadequate security testing during development or insufficient review of access control mechanisms before release.
Organizations using the affected plugin should prioritize immediate remediation through the latest available version updates, as this vulnerability represents a direct threat to system integrity and user data security. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor's official patch or upgrade to version 5.3.1.0 or later, which should contain the necessary access control fixes. Security teams should also implement network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and review user access logs for any unauthorized administrative activities. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that only legitimate privileged users can access the plugin's administrative interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust access control mechanisms and adhering to security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, which is fundamental to the defense-in-depth approach recommended by cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards.