CVE-2024-56211 in Userpro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in DeluxeThemes Userpro.This issue affects Userpro: from n/a through 5.1.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The CVE-2024-56211 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the DeluxeThemes Userpro plugin, a widely used membership and user management solution for wordpress platforms. This vulnerability exists in versions ranging from unspecified initial release through 5.1.9, creating a persistent security gap that allows unauthorized users to bypass intended access controls. The issue stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the plugin's core functionality, specifically affecting the authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect sensitive user data and administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient input validation and access control checks within the plugin's user management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized actions such as viewing restricted user information, modifying user profiles, or accessing administrative interfaces without proper authentication credentials. The flaw likely occurs in the plugin's API endpoints or administrative pages where user roles and permissions are not properly verified before executing privileged operations. This missing authorization check creates a pathway for both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and gain access to functionality that should be restricted to authorized administrators or specific user roles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling full administrative control over affected wordpress installations. An attacker exploiting this issue could manipulate user accounts, modify membership levels, access private content, and compromise the integrity of the entire user management system. The vulnerability affects not only individual user data but also the overall security posture of wordpress sites relying on Userpro for membership management, as it undermines the fundamental security model that separates user roles and permissions. This flaw particularly impacts sites with sensitive user information, membership-based content, or those requiring strict access controls for administrative functions.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the latest version of Userpro where the authorization checks have been properly implemented, applying temporary workarounds such as restricting access to plugin directories through web server configurations, and monitoring for suspicious user activity or unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their wordpress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar authorization flaws. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-862 which specifically addresses insufficient authorization in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all access control mechanisms. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could enable attackers to move laterally within compromised wordpress environments, potentially leading to full system compromise through additional attack vectors that may be discovered through reconnaissance of the affected installation.