CVE-2024-55993 in Job Board Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in PickPlugins Job Board Manager allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Job Board Manager: from n/a through 2.1.60.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The CVE-2024-55993 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the PickPlugins Job Board Manager plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.1.60. 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 vulnerability exists within the plugin's authorization mechanisms, where proper checks are either absent or improperly implemented, allowing unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls and perform actions they should not be permitted to execute.
This missing authorization vulnerability operates at the core of the plugin's security architecture, where the system fails to adequately verify whether a user possesses the necessary privileges to access specific features or perform administrative tasks. The flaw manifests when the plugin does not properly enforce role-based access controls, enabling attackers to exploit the system through various attack vectors that manipulate session tokens, manipulate API endpoints, or directly access restricted functionality without proper authentication. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to resources necessary for their specific roles within the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-55993 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to modifying job listings, accessing sensitive user data, manipulating plugin configurations, and potentially escalating privileges within the affected WordPress environment. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of proper authorization enforcement and can lead to complete compromise of the job board functionality, data breaches, and unauthorized modifications to the website's content management system. The affected versions through 2.1.60 suggest that this issue has persisted across multiple releases, indicating a systemic problem within the plugin's access control implementation that requires immediate attention.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of proper access control enforcement. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it can be exploited through various means including cross-site request forgery attacks, session manipulation, or by leveraging existing user sessions to perform unauthorized actions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, where attackers can establish unauthorized access to administrative functions and maintain control over the compromised system. Organizations using the PickPlugins Job Board Manager plugin are at significant risk of data exposure, content manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-55993 must include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, along with comprehensive security audits of existing user roles and permissions within the affected WordPress installations. System administrators should implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, reviewing user access logs, and ensuring proper role-based access controls are enforced throughout the platform. The vulnerability also necessitates immediate patch management protocols and security hardening measures to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential compromise and implement network segmentation measures to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security testing and code reviews of third-party plugins are essential to prevent similar authorization flaws from occurring in other components of the web application infrastructure.