CVE-2024-9265 in Echo RSS Feed Post Generator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2024
The Echo RSS Feed Post Generator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation in all versions up to, and including, 5.4.6. This is due to the plugin not properly restricting the roles that can set during registration through the echo_check_post_header_sent() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to register as an administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2024
The Echo RSS Feed Post Generator plugin for WordPress presents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 5.4.6. This vulnerability stems from insufficient role validation within the plugin's registration mechanism, specifically within the echo_check_post_header_sent() function. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the system's trust in the registration process, potentially gaining administrative privileges without proper authentication. The vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the plugin's access control implementation, creating an entry point for attackers to elevate their privileges within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper restriction of user roles during the registration process. When the echo_check_post_header_sent() function handles user registration requests, it fails to adequately validate or enforce role boundaries that should normally require authentication or administrative approval. This allows malicious actors to manipulate the registration flow and assign administrator roles to themselves. The vulnerability operates at the core of WordPress's user management system, where the plugin's code does not properly interface with WordPress's built-in capability checks. This type of flaw is classified as a privilege escalation vulnerability under CWE-269, which specifically addresses "Improper Privilege Management" in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for WordPress installations using the affected plugin. An unauthenticated attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains full administrative control over the WordPress site, including the ability to modify content, install malicious plugins, change user permissions, and potentially access sensitive data. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it does not require any prior authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the WordPress site's registration or feed generation endpoints. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as it allows attackers to effectively create valid administrative accounts without legitimate credentials.
Organizations using the Echo RSS Feed Post Generator plugin should immediately implement mitigations to protect their WordPress installations from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of the plugin where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper role validation and access control enforcement. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the plugin's registration endpoints and monitor for suspicious registration activities. Security measures should include implementing rate limiting on registration requests and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar privilege escalation issues in other plugins or themes. The remediation process must also involve reviewing and strengthening WordPress's overall security posture, including regular updates, proper user management practices, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities. Without immediate action, the vulnerability creates a persistent threat that could lead to complete compromise of affected WordPress installations.