CVE-2024-6835 in Ivory Search Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/05/2024
The Ivory Search – WordPress Search Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 5.5.6 via the ajax_load_posts function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to extract text data from password-protected posts using the boolean-based attack on the AJAX search form
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The Ivory Search WordPress plugin presents a critical information exposure vulnerability that undermines the security of password-protected content through its ajax_load_posts function. This vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 5.5.6, creating a significant risk for WordPress sites that rely on the plugin for search functionality. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to exploit the AJAX search form through boolean-based attack techniques, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should protect password-protected posts from unauthorized viewing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the plugin's search functionality. When the ajax_load_posts function processes search requests through the AJAX interface, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has adequate permissions to view the requested content. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious search queries that leverage boolean logic to infer the existence and content of password-protected posts without authentication. The boolean-based attack method works by submitting search terms that produce different responses based on whether the target content exists, thereby enabling attackers to systematically extract information from protected posts through repeated trial-and-error attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality assurances that password protection is designed to provide. Attackers can systematically enumerate and extract text data from password-protected posts, potentially gaining access to sensitive business information, private communications, or proprietary content that should remain restricted. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that host sensitive content such as client data, internal documents, or confidential business information within password-protected posts, making the impact severe for organizations relying on such security measures.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in access control. The attack vector operates through the standard WordPress AJAX interface, making it difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1566.001 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the extracted information for further social engineering attacks. Organizations should immediately update to the latest plugin version, implement network-level monitoring for suspicious AJAX requests, and review their access control policies to ensure that password-protected content remains properly secured. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data through AJAX interfaces.