CVE-2024-37269 in Masterstudy Elementor Widgets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in StylemixThemes Masterstudy Elementor Widgets allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Masterstudy Elementor Widgets: from n/a through 1.2.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37269 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the StylemixThemes Masterstudy Elementor Widgets plugin, which operates within the WordPress ecosystem. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. The affected plugin version range spans from an unspecified starting point through version 1.2.2, indicating that users running any iteration within this scope remain vulnerable to exploitation. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized users to bypass intended access controls and perform actions they should not be permitted to execute.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user roles and capabilities within the plugin's codebase. When users interact with the Masterstudy Elementor Widgets functionality, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to access or modify specific features. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for attackers to exploit the system's trust model and escalate their privileges. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of administrative functions and content management operations, where proper authorization checks should be enforced but are instead absent or incorrectly implemented.
From an operational perspective, this missing authorization vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin. An attacker who gains access to a user account with limited privileges could potentially leverage this flaw to execute administrative actions, modify site content, or access sensitive data. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could enable complete compromise of the affected WordPress installation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all security implementations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through automated tools or manual attack techniques. Attackers may attempt to manipulate API endpoints or direct requests to plugin functionality that should only be accessible to administrators or authorized personnel. The lack of proper authorization checks means that even users with basic accounts could potentially access restricted features, modify widget configurations, or perform operations that should be limited to site administrators. This flaw particularly affects sites where multiple users have varying levels of access and where the plugin's functionality is integrated with core site management operations.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest version of the Masterstudy Elementor Widgets plugin where the authorization checks have been properly implemented. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations to identify other potential access control vulnerabilities. Implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls, regular access control reviews, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include validating that all user roles and capabilities are properly enforced throughout the plugin's codebase, ensuring that each function requires appropriate authorization before execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, highlighting the need for robust authorization mechanisms in all software components.