EUVD-2024-46402

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-46402

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

The vulnerability described in EUVD-2024-46402 affects the "Login with phone number" plugin for WordPress. The issue is an authentication bypass vulnerability present in versions up to and including 1.7.26. This vulnerability arises because the 'activation_code' default value is empty, and there is a missing check for non-empty values in the 'lwp_ajax_register' function. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing user, including administrators, if they have access to the user's email.

Severity Evaluation:

• Base Score: 9.8 (CVSS 3.1)
• Vector String: 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 user interaction required) and the significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

1. Unauthenticated Access: An attacker can exploit this vulnerability without needing any prior authentication.
2. Email Access: The attacker needs to know the email address of the target user, which can often be obtained through social engineering, phishing, or public information.

Exploitation Methods:

1. Direct Exploitation: The attacker can send a crafted request to the 'lwp_ajax_register' function with an empty 'activation_code' to bypass authentication and gain access to the user account.
2. 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 Systems:

• WordPress installations using the "Login with phone number" plugin.

Affected Versions:

• All versions up to and including 1.7.26.

Patched Versions:

• Version 1.7.26 attempted to fix the issue but introduced a bug that rendered the function non-operational.
• Version 1.7.27 fully addresses the vulnerability and resolves the functional issue.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

1. Immediate Patching: Upgrade the "Login with phone number" plugin to version 1.7.27 or later.
2. Monitoring and Logging: Implement robust monitoring and logging to detect any suspicious login attempts or unauthorized access.
3. Access Controls: Limit access to the WordPress admin panel to trusted IP addresses.
4. User Education: Educate users about the risks of sharing email addresses and the importance of strong, unique passwords.
5. Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

The vulnerability poses a significant risk to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly for organizations and individuals using WordPress with the affected plugin. Given the widespread use of WordPress, the potential for large-scale exploitation is high, which could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and loss of sensitive information. The high EPSS score of 4 indicates a moderate likelihood of exploitation in the wild.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• Function: 'lwp_ajax_register'
• Issue: Missing check for non-empty 'activation_code'
• Impact: Authentication bypass allowing unauthenticated login as any user

Code References:

• Vulnerable Code:

  // Example of vulnerable code in 'lwp_ajax_register'
  if (empty($activation_code)) {
      // Authentication bypass logic
  }
  

• Patched Code:

  // Example of patched code in 'lwp_ajax_register'
  if (!empty($activation_code)) {
      // Proper authentication logic
  }
  

References:

• Wordfence Threat Intelligence
• WordPress Plugin Repository
• Changeset Details

Assigner:

• Wordfence

ENISA IDs:

• Product: Login with phone number (versions ≤1.7.26)
• Vendor: glboy

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