Description
The Nextend Social Login Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authentication bypass in versions up to, and including, 3.1.16. This is due to insufficient verification on the user being supplied during the Apple OAuth authenticate request through the plugin. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing user on the site, such as an administrator, if they have access to the email.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-1984
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the Nextend Social Login Pro plugin for WordPress, identified as EUVD-2025-1984 (CVE-2025-1061), is an authentication bypass issue. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing user, including administrators, if they have access to the user's email address. The severity of this vulnerability is rated with a CVSS Base Score of 9.8, which is considered critical.
CVSS Vector Breakdown:
- AV:N (Network Vector): The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- AC:L (Low Complexity): The attack requires low skill or resources.
- PR:N (No Privileges Required): No prior authentication is needed.
- UI:N (No User Interaction): No user interaction is required.
- S:U (Unchanged): The scope of the vulnerability does not change.
- C:H (High Confidentiality Impact): Complete loss of confidentiality.
- I:H (High Integrity Impact): Complete loss of integrity.
- A:H (High Availability Impact): Complete loss of availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Email Enumeration: Attackers can enumerate email addresses through various means, such as social engineering, phishing, or public data breaches.
- Direct Exploitation: Once the email is known, attackers can craft a malicious OAuth request to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access.
Exploitation Methods:
- OAuth Request Manipulation: By manipulating the OAuth request parameters, attackers can trick the plugin into authenticating them as the targeted user.
- Automated Scripts: Attackers may use automated scripts to exploit the vulnerability en masse, targeting multiple WordPress sites using the Nextend Social Login Pro plugin.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Software:
- Nextend Social Login Pro plugin for WordPress
Affected Versions:
- All versions up to and including 3.1.16
Vendor:
- nextendweb
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Update the Plugin: Ensure that the Nextend Social Login Pro plugin is updated to a version higher than 3.1.16.
- Disable Apple OAuth: Temporarily disable the Apple OAuth authentication method until the plugin is updated.
- Monitor Logs: Closely monitor authentication logs for any suspicious activity.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Updates: Implement a regular update schedule for all plugins and themes.
- Access Controls: Enforce strong access controls and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative accounts.
- Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of the WordPress environment.
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 Nextend Social Login Pro plugin. Given the widespread use of WordPress, the potential for large-scale exploitation is high. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential financial losses.
Regulatory Implications:
- GDPR Compliance: Organizations must ensure they comply with GDPR regulations, which mandate the protection of personal data. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in regulatory penalties.
- Incident Reporting: Organizations should be prepared to report any incidents resulting from this vulnerability to relevant authorities and affected individuals.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- The vulnerability stems from insufficient verification of the user during the Apple OAuth authentication process.
- The flaw allows attackers to bypass the authentication mechanism by manipulating the OAuth request parameters.
Detection Methods:
- Log Analysis: Analyze authentication logs for unusual login attempts or patterns.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy IDS to detect and alert on suspicious OAuth requests.
Mitigation Steps:
- Patch Management: Ensure that all WordPress plugins, including Nextend Social Login Pro, are kept up-to-date.
- Configuration Hardening: Review and harden the configuration of the Nextend Social Login Pro plugin to minimize the risk of similar vulnerabilities.
- User Education: Educate users about the risks of phishing and social engineering attacks that could lead to email enumeration.
Conclusion: The authentication bypass vulnerability in the Nextend Social Login Pro plugin for WordPress is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize updating the plugin and implementing robust security measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The European cybersecurity landscape must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing such vulnerabilities to protect against potential large-scale attacks.