CVE-2024-5941 in GiveWP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2024
The GiveWP – Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access and deletion of data due to a missing capability check on the 'handle_request' function in all versions up to, and including, 3.14.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to read attachment paths and delete attachment files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5941 affects the GiveWP – Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform WordPress plugin, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This issue stems from a missing capability check within the 'handle_request' function, which operates across all versions up to and including 3.14.1, creating a pathway for unauthorized data manipulation by users who possess at least Subscriber-level privileges. The flaw exposes the plugin to potential exploitation by malicious actors who may leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive attachment paths and execute deletion operations on attachment files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insufficient validation of user permissions within the plugin's core functionality. When the 'handle_request' function processes incoming requests, it fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate authorization levels to perform the requested operations. This missing capability check creates a direct vector for privilege escalation, allowing users with minimal access rights to bypass normal security controls that should restrict access to sensitive data and file operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of attachment-related requests, where attachment paths are exposed and attachment files can be deleted without proper authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5941 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially disrupt fundraising operations and compromise sensitive donor information. Subscribers with access to the WordPress platform can exploit this vulnerability to access attachment paths that may contain donor personal information, financial records, or other confidential data. The ability to delete attachment files creates additional risks including potential data loss, disruption of donation processing workflows, and possible compromise of the platform's integrity. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on GiveWP for their fundraising activities, where the exposure of donor data or disruption of donation processing could result in significant operational and reputational damage.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, where attackers can leverage weak access controls to expand their operational capabilities within the affected system. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where this vulnerability has been addressed, reviewing user role assignments to minimize unnecessary access rights, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Additionally, network segmentation and proper logging of file access operations should be implemented to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper capability checks and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly in platforms handling sensitive donor information and financial transactions.