CVE-2024-7781 in Jupiter X Core Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2024
The Jupiter X Core plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authentication bypass in all versions up to, and including, 4.7.5. This is due to improper authentication via the Social Login widget. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to log in as the first user to have logged in with a social media account, including administrator accounts. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability even if the Social Login element has been disabled, as long as it was previously enabled and used. The vulnerability was partially patched in version 4.7.5, and fully patched in version 4.7.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7781 affects the Jupiter X Core plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that has persisted across multiple versions up to and including 4.7.5. This issue stems from improper authentication mechanisms within the Social Login widget functionality, creating a significant security weakness that undermines the fundamental security model of WordPress installations. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative accounts by exploiting the social login functionality that was previously enabled, even when the social login feature has since been disabled. The vulnerability's persistence occurs because the plugin maintains state information about social login users, creating a lingering security risk that extends beyond the actual activation status of the social login widget.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of social authentication tokens and user session management, which fails to properly validate authentication status during login processes. This flaw aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, specifically targeting the scenario where authentication mechanisms are insufficiently validated or properly enforced. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates how legacy authentication data can persist in system memory or database tables even after features have been disabled, creating a false sense of security for administrators who may have turned off social login functionality. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the first user's social login credentials to establish unauthorized access, meaning that any administrator who has previously authenticated through social media accounts becomes a potential target for this type of attack.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7781 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as attackers can potentially compromise entire WordPress installations through this authentication bypass. When an administrator account has been previously authenticated via social media, the vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the WordPress site, including the ability to modify content, install malicious plugins, alter user permissions, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive data. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials used for unauthorized access, and represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on social login integration for user authentication. The fact that the vulnerability remains exploitable even after the social login widget is disabled creates a particularly dangerous scenario where administrators may believe they have secured their systems by removing the feature, while the underlying security flaw continues to persist.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2024-7781 requires immediate attention from WordPress administrators, with the complete patch being available in version 4.7.8. The partial patch introduced in version 4.7.5 addressed some aspects of the vulnerability but did not fully resolve the authentication bypass issue, leaving systems still at risk. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of the Jupiter X Core plugin and conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred. System administrators should also review access logs for unusual authentication patterns and consider implementing additional security measures such as two-factor authentication and regular security monitoring to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper session management and authentication validation, particularly in plugins that handle user authentication and social login functionality, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such persistent authentication flaws from reaching production environments.