CVE-2024-56067 in WP SuperBackup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Azzaroco WP SuperBackup allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects WP SuperBackup: from n/a through 2.3.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The CVE-2024-56067 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Azzaroco WP SuperBackup plugin, exposing systems to unauthorized access and potential data compromise. This vulnerability stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive backup operations and administrative functions. The issue affects all versions of WP SuperBackup from the initial release through version 2.3.3, indicating a long-standing flaw that has persisted across multiple iterations of the plugin's development lifecycle. The vulnerability essentially allows any authenticated user to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators or authorized personnel only, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that rely on this backup solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper access control enforcement within the plugin's codebase, which aligns with CWE-285, or Improper Authorization, as defined in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. This weakness occurs when the system fails to properly enforce access control policies, allowing users to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. The flaw specifically manifests in the plugin's handling of user roles and permissions, where the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to access or modify backup configurations, restore operations, or view sensitive backup data. This misconfiguration creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks, where lower-privileged users can potentially access administrative functions and sensitive information.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to WordPress site security and data integrity. Attackers who can exploit this flaw can gain unauthorized access to backup files, potentially including sensitive customer data, database credentials, or other confidential information stored within the backup archives. The vulnerability also enables attackers to manipulate backup schedules, modify backup settings, or even delete existing backups, which can severely impact disaster recovery capabilities and business continuity planning. Organizations using WP SuperBackup are particularly vulnerable since the flaw affects such a widely used backup solution, potentially exposing hundreds or thousands of WordPress sites to unauthorized access and data breaches. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage when sensitive information is exposed through unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-56067 should prioritize immediate action to address the authorization gap within the WP SuperBackup plugin. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest available version of the plugin where the authorization flaw has been patched and properly implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access control measures at the WordPress level, such as restricting user roles and capabilities through custom role management or utilizing security plugins that provide enhanced access control enforcement. Network-level mitigations including firewall rules that limit access to backup-related endpoints and monitoring systems that detect unauthorized access attempts can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other plugins or custom code implementations, while also ensuring that proper principle of least privilege is enforced throughout the WordPress installation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly in backup and administrative functions where the potential for damage from unauthorized access is exceptionally high.