CVE-2024-9263 in WP Timetics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2024
The WP Timetics- AI-powered Appointment Booking Calendar and Online Scheduling Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Account Takeover/Privilege Escalation via Insecure Direct Object Reference in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.25 via the save() due to missing validation on a user controlled key. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to reset the emails and passwords of arbitrary user accounts, including administrators, which makes account takeover and privilege escalation possible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The WP Timetics plugin represents a widely used WordPress solution for appointment booking and online scheduling functionality. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.0.25, creating a critical security risk that extends beyond typical plugin flaws. The vulnerability stems from an insecure direct object reference implementation within the plugin's save() function, which fails to properly validate user-controlled input parameters. This design flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate object references and gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern user account management within the plugin's framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate the plugin's internal object references and execute unauthorized actions against user accounts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the user-controlled key parameter within the save() function. This parameter should undergo strict validation to ensure that only authorized users can modify specific account attributes. However, the current implementation lacks proper input sanitization and validation checks, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability enables attackers to reset email addresses and passwords for arbitrary user accounts, including high-privilege administrator accounts. This occurs because the plugin does not properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to modify the target account's credentials. The absence of proper access control validation creates a pathway for privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges within the affected WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over user accounts within the plugin's scope. Unauthenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise any user account, including those with administrative privileges, leading to full system compromise. The implications include unauthorized access to sensitive scheduling information, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to modify or delete critical appointment data. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on the plugin for business-critical scheduling operations, as it creates opportunities for both financial and reputational damage. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the plugin's interface.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation on all user-controlled parameters, and establishing network segmentation to limit access to plugin endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically targeting improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized privilege escalation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1531 Account Access Removal, as attackers can leverage compromised accounts to maintain persistence and escalate privileges. Security monitoring should focus on unusual authentication-related activities, particularly password reset requests and account modifications. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and access controls on plugin endpoints can help prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all user-controlled inputs are properly validated and sanitized.