CVE-2024-6987 in Orchid Store Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2024
The Orchid Store theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'orchid_store_activate_plugin' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.6. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to activate the Addonify Floating Cart For WooCommerce plugin if it is installed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6987 affects the Orchid Store theme for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected installations. This vulnerability stems from a missing capability check within the 'orchid_store_activate_plugin' function, which operates across all versions up to and including 1.5.6. The flaw creates an unauthorized modification vector that allows attackers with minimal privileges to escalate their access within the WordPress environment. The specific nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which addresses incorrect authorization scenarios where a subject is not properly authorized to perform an operation, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the absence of proper access control validation within the theme's plugin activation mechanism. When an authenticated user with Subscriber-level access or higher attempts to activate the Addonify Floating Cart For WooCommerce plugin, the system fails to verify whether the user possesses the necessary administrative privileges required for such operations. This missing validation creates a pathway for privilege escalation where low-privilege users can manipulate the system to install and activate plugins that should only be accessible to administrators or users with explicit plugin management permissions. The vulnerability essentially removes the security boundary that should exist between different user roles within the WordPress access control model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized plugin activation, creating potential for broader system compromise. An attacker with Subscriber-level access can leverage this flaw to install malicious plugins, potentially leading to complete system takeover through the exploitation of additional vulnerabilities in the installed plugins. The ability to activate plugins represents a significant security risk because plugins often have extensive access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass the standard WordPress permission model, potentially allowing them to install backdoors, data exfiltration tools, or other malicious components that could persist across system reboots and administrative actions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6987 should focus on immediate remediation through theme updates to versions that address the missing capability check. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including role-based access control reviews, monitoring for unauthorized plugin installations, and regular security audits of installed themes and plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in WordPress themes, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of WordPress installations, particularly around theme and plugin functionality, are essential to identify similar authorization flaws that could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems.