CVE-2025-3438 in MStore API Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2025
The MStore API – Create Native Android & iOS Apps On The Cloud plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to limited privilege escalation in all versions up to, and including, 4.17.4. This is due to a lack of restriction of role when registering. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to to register with the 'wcfm_vendor' role, which is a Store Vendor role in the WCFM Marketplace – Multivendor Marketplace for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability can only be exploited if the WCFM Marketplace – Multivendor Marketplace for WooCommerce plugin is installed and activated. The vulnerability was partially patched in version 4.17.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3438 affects the MStore API plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.17.4. This issue represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from insufficient role restriction during the user registration process. The flaw exists within the plugin's registration mechanism where it fails to properly validate or restrict the roles that can be assigned to newly registered users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows unauthenticated attackers to register accounts with elevated privileges, specifically the 'wcfm_vendor' role which is part of the WCFM Marketplace plugin ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in access control mechanisms and user privilege management. The MStore API plugin does not properly enforce authorization checks when processing user registration requests, enabling attackers to manipulate the registration process to obtain the 'wcfm_vendor' role. This role is significant because it provides access to vendor-specific functionalities within the WooCommerce marketplace ecosystem, including the ability to manage products, orders, and store settings. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all user account creation processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial when the target WordPress installation includes the WCFM Marketplace plugin, as the vulnerability is conditional on the presence and activation of this companion plugin. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability gain access to the vendor dashboard and associated functionalities, potentially allowing them to modify product listings, process orders, and access sensitive store information. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable WordPress site. This represents a critical security gap that could enable unauthorized individuals to compromise store operations and potentially gain access to customer data and financial transactions.
The partial patch implemented in version 4.17.3 indicates that the developers recognized the severity of the issue but may have only addressed specific aspects of the vulnerability rather than the complete root cause. This incomplete remediation suggests that organizations should verify their plugin versions and ensure they are running the latest stable release that fully addresses the privilege escalation vector. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring user registration activities, implementing rate limiting on registration endpoints, and ensuring that all plugins are regularly updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1548 which addresses abuse of privileges, making it a significant concern for security operations teams monitoring WordPress environments.