EUVD-2024-27135

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-27135

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

The vulnerability described in EUVD-2024-27135 affects the Malware Scanner and Web Application Firewall plugins for WordPress, both developed by MiniOrange. The issue arises from a missing capability check in the mo_wpns_init() function, which allows unauthenticated attackers to escalate their privileges to that of an administrator.

Severity Evaluation:

• Base Score: 9.8 (Critical)
• Base Score Version: CVSS:3.1
• Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

The high base score indicates a critical vulnerability due to the ease of exploitation (low complexity, no authentication required) and the severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

• Unauthenticated Access: Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without needing any authentication, making it highly accessible.
• Network Access: The attack can be conducted over the network (AV:N), meaning it can be executed remotely.

Exploitation Methods:

• Direct Function Call: An attacker can directly call the mo_wpns_init() function without proper authorization checks, leading to privilege escalation.
• Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to scan for vulnerable WordPress installations and exploit the vulnerability en masse.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

Affected Plugins:

• Malware Scanner: All versions up to and including 4.7.2.
• Web Application Firewall: All versions up to and including 2.1.1.

Affected Systems:

• Any WordPress installation using the affected versions of the MiniOrange Malware Scanner or Web Application Firewall plugins.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Actions:

• Update Plugins: Immediately update the Malware Scanner and Web Application Firewall plugins to versions that include the fix for this vulnerability.
• Disable Plugins: If updates are not available, consider disabling the affected plugins until a patch is released.

Long-Term Strategies:

• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits of all installed plugins and themes.
• Least Privilege: Ensure that all plugins and themes adhere to the principle of least privilege.
• Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring to detect and respond to any suspicious activities.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

The vulnerability poses a significant risk to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly for organizations and individuals using WordPress for their websites. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the critical nature of the vulnerability, it could lead to widespread compromise of web applications, resulting in data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential financial losses.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• Function: mo_wpns_init()
• Issue: Missing capability check allows unauthenticated users to execute the function, leading to privilege escalation.

Code Analysis:

• Affected File: handler/login.php (Line 89)
• Example Code Snippet:

  function mo_wpns_init() {
      // Missing capability check here
      // Critical operations that should be restricted to administrators
  }
  

References:

• Wordfence Threat Intelligence
• WordPress Plugin Repository
• WordPress Plugin Page

Aliases:

• CVE-2024-2172
• GSD-2024-2172

Assigner:

• Wordfence

EPSS Score:

• 2 (Indicates a moderate likelihood of exploitation in the wild)

ENISA IDs:

• Products:
  • Web Application Firewall – website security (all versions ≤2.1.1)
  • Malware Scanner (all versions ≤4.7.2)
• Vendor:
  • cyberlord92

By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing robust security measures, organizations can mitigate the risk of exploitation and protect their digital assets.