CVE-2024-6500 in InPost for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2024
The InPost for WooCommerce plugin and InPost PL plugin for WordPress are vulnerable to unauthorized access and deletion of data due to a missing capability check on the 'parse_request' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.0 (for InPost for WooCommerce) as well as 1.4.4 (for InPost PL). This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read and delete arbitrary files on Windows servers. On Linux servers, only files within the WordPress install will be deleted, but all files can be read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6500 affects two popular WordPress plugins: InPost for WooCommerce and InPost PL plugin for WordPress. Both plugins suffer from a critical authorization flaw that stems from a missing capability check within their respective 'parse_request' functions. This technical deficiency exists across all versions up to and including 1.4.0 for the WooCommerce variant and 1.4.4 for the PL variant, creating a persistent security gap that has remained unaddressed for an extended period. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks, which falls under CWE-863, also known as "Incorrect Authorization" or "Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key." The flaw enables attackers to exploit the plugins' functionality without proper authentication credentials, fundamentally undermining the security model of the WordPress platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to leverage the missing capability check during the request parsing phase of the plugins' operation. When the 'parse_request' function processes incoming requests, it fails to verify whether the requester possesses the necessary permissions to perform destructive operations. This oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the plugin's behavior through crafted requests. On Windows servers, the impact is particularly severe as attackers can execute arbitrary file deletion operations, potentially compromising the entire server infrastructure. The vulnerability's reach extends beyond simple file access, as the absence of proper authorization controls enables attackers to target files beyond the standard WordPress directory boundaries. On Linux systems, while the deletion scope is limited to the WordPress installation directory, the read capability remains unrestricted, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from the web root and potentially gain insights into the server configuration and underlying data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond immediate data compromise, as it represents a fundamental breach in the WordPress plugin security architecture. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform reconnaissance activities, extract sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access points within the target environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying skill levels. The lack of authentication requirements means that any user with access to the WordPress site can potentially trigger the vulnerability, regardless of their role or permissions within the system. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes Valid Accounts as a method for gaining access to systems, though in this case the vulnerability allows unauthorized access without legitimate credentials. The potential for data exfiltration, system compromise, and service disruption makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for businesses relying on WordPress platforms for their online operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6500 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability check in the 'parse_request' functions. System administrators should implement network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to plugin endpoints and monitoring for suspicious request patterns. The vulnerability's nature suggests that implementing proper input validation and capability checks within the plugin architecture would prevent exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting these specific plugin functions. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should include checks for similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on functions that handle request parsing and file operations. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive monitoring of file access and deletion activities, as well as implementing proper logging mechanisms that can help identify exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying automated patch management solutions to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party plugins that can serve as attack vectors for broader system compromise.