CVE-2024-7836 in Themify Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2024
The Themify Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized post duplication due to missing checks on the duplicate_page_ajaxify function in all versions up to, and including, 7.6.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to duplicate and view private or draft posts created by other users that otherwise shouldn't be accessible to them.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7836 affects the Themify Builder plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 7.6.1. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of WordPress sites relying on this plugin. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks within the duplicate_page_ajaxify function, which is designed to handle post duplication operations. The flaw allows authenticated users with Contributor level privileges or higher to exploit this functionality and duplicate posts that should remain inaccessible to them, including private and draft content created by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's ajax handling mechanism where the duplicate_page_ajaxify function fails to validate whether the requesting user has proper authorization to duplicate the target post. This function operates without verifying the post ownership or access permissions, creating a path for privilege escalation through unauthorized content manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress administrative interface where users with Contributor roles already possess significant capabilities, but the additional duplication functionality creates an unexpected vector for accessing restricted content. The flaw manifests as a missing access control check that should validate user permissions against the target post's privacy settings and ownership.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to content security and data integrity across WordPress installations. Attackers with Contributor level access can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to private posts, draft content, and potentially sensitive information that should only be visible to the original authors or administrators. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables content manipulation and could facilitate further attacks such as data exfiltration or the creation of misleading content. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site using the Themify Builder plugin, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on this popular page builder tool. This issue particularly impacts sites where multiple users have Contributor access or higher, as it essentially removes the security boundaries that should protect private content from unauthorized duplication.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization checks, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves legitimate credentials and privileges. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Themify Builder plugin, reviewing user permissions, and implementing additional monitoring for suspicious duplication activities. The recommended remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patch, which should introduce proper access control validation within the duplicate_page_ajaxify function. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing role-based access controls that limit duplication capabilities to users who require such functionality for legitimate purposes, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized post duplication attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough access control validation in WordPress plugin development and serves as a reminder of the critical security implications that can arise from seemingly simple functionality when proper authorization checks are omitted.