CVE-2024-4444 in LearnPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
The LearnPress – WordPress LMS Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to bypass to user registration in versions up to, and including, 4.2.6.5. This is due to missing checks in the 'create_account' function in the checkout. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to register as the default role on the site, even if registration is disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4444 affects the LearnPress WordPress LMS plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.2.6.5. This security flaw resides within the plugin's checkout process and represents a critical authorization bypass that undermines the fundamental security controls of WordPress sites using this learning management system. The issue manifests through insufficient validation mechanisms in the create_account function, which fails to properly verify user authentication status before permitting account creation. This vulnerability directly impacts the plugin's ability to enforce site registration policies and can be exploited by malicious actors to circumvent intended access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and missing authentication checks within the checkout workflow of the LearnPress plugin. When users attempt to create accounts through the checkout process, the system fails to verify whether the current user session has proper authentication credentials or whether the site administrator has disabled public registration. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate the account creation process and register new user accounts with the default role assigned by the WordPress installation. The vulnerability essentially creates an unauthorized account creation pathway that bypasses standard WordPress registration restrictions, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to site resources or perform malicious activities under legitimate user accounts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress site administrators and their users. Attackers can exploit this flaw to register accounts with default user roles, potentially gaining access to course materials, forums, or other content that might be restricted to registered users. The impact extends beyond simple account creation as it undermines the entire user management framework of the LearnPress plugin and can lead to data exposure, content manipulation, or unauthorized access to sensitive educational resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for educational institutions or businesses that rely on LearnPress for managing course content and user access, as it can enable unauthorized individuals to bypass normal access controls and potentially disrupt learning environments.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering through account creation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the LearnPress plugin where this vulnerability has been addressed, reviewing existing user accounts for unauthorized access, and implementing additional access controls. System administrators should also monitor site logs for suspicious account creation patterns and consider disabling user registration entirely if the functionality is not required. The recommended remediation involves patching the plugin to version 4.2.6.6 or later, which includes proper authentication checks in the create_account function, thereby preventing unauthorized account creation through the checkout process.