CVE-2024-49604 in Simple User Registration Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2024
Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability in N-Media Simple User Registration wp-registration allows Authentication Bypass.This issue affects Simple User Registration: from n/a through <= 6.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49604 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the N-Media Simple User Registration WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions up to and including 6.7. This issue falls under the broader category of authentication weaknesses that can fundamentally compromise the security posture of WordPress installations. The vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent the standard authentication mechanisms by utilizing alternative paths or channels that were not properly secured or validated. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient input validation, improper access control implementation, or flawed session management that creates unintended entry points for unauthorized users. The affected plugin's authentication bypass capability directly violates fundamental security principles and creates a significant risk for any system relying on its user registration functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate user credentials or verify authentication status when processing registration requests through alternative access points. This type of flaw commonly manifests when developers create multiple entry points for user registration without implementing consistent authentication checks or when they fail to properly sanitize inputs that could be manipulated to bypass standard security controls. The vulnerability likely exists in the plugin's registration processing logic where alternate pathways for user account creation or verification are not adequately protected against unauthorized access attempts. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software applications. The flaw creates a condition where an attacker can potentially register new users or gain access to existing user accounts without proper authentication, effectively undermining the entire user management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user registration bypasses and can lead to serious consequences including unauthorized access to restricted content, privilege escalation, and potential data breaches. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could register accounts with elevated privileges, gain access to administrative functions, or manipulate existing user accounts to perform unauthorized activities. The security implications are particularly severe in environments where the plugin is used for membership management, user access control, or any scenario where user accounts directly correlate to system privileges. This type of authentication bypass vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to establish persistent access or move laterally within a network. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that WordPress remains one of the most targeted platforms for cyberattacks, making such flaws particularly dangerous in the current threat landscape.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49604 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any unauthorized registration attempts or suspicious user account activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation, while regular security audits should verify that all authentication mechanisms are properly functioning. The remediation process should also include reviewing and hardening the WordPress installation's overall security configuration, implementing strong password policies, and ensuring proper user access controls are in place. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, making it a critical target for both defensive and detection measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other plugins or system components that might present similar authentication bypass risks.