Description
The Nokri – Job Board WordPress Theme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 1.6.2. This is due to the plugin not properly checking for an empty token value prior updating their details like password. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary user's password, including administrators, and leverage that to gain access to their account.
EPSS Score:
43%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-5898
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the Nokri – Job Board WordPress Theme, identified as EUVD-2025-5898 (CVE-2024-12824), is a critical privilege escalation issue. The theme fails to properly validate an empty token value before allowing updates to user details, such as passwords. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to change the password of any user, including administrators, thereby gaining unauthorized access to their accounts.
Severity Evaluation:
- CVSS Base Score: 9.8
- CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The high CVSS score indicates a severe vulnerability due to the following factors:
- Attack Vector (AV:N): Network-based attack, meaning it can be exploited remotely.
- Attack Complexity (AC:L): Low complexity, making it easy to exploit.
- Privileges Required (PR:N): No privileges are required, allowing unauthenticated attackers to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI:N): No user interaction is required.
- Scope (S:U): Unchanged, meaning the vulnerability affects the same security scope.
- Confidentiality (C:H), Integrity (I:H), Availability (A:H): High impact on all three security properties.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Unauthenticated Password Change: An attacker can send a crafted request to change the password of any user, including administrators, without needing to authenticate.
- Account Takeover: By changing the password, the attacker can gain full control over the targeted account, leading to further unauthorized actions.
Exploitation Methods:
- Direct Exploitation: The attacker can directly send a POST request to the vulnerable endpoint with an empty token value and a new password, effectively changing the password of the targeted user.
- Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to scan for vulnerable installations and exploit them en masse.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Software:
- Nokri – Job Board WordPress Theme
- Versions: All versions up to and including 1.6.2
Affected Systems:
- Any WordPress installation using the Nokri – Job Board WordPress Theme version 1.6.2 or earlier.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Update the Theme: Upgrade to the latest version of the Nokri – Job Board WordPress Theme that addresses this vulnerability.
- Temporary Mitigation: Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to block requests with empty token values to the vulnerable endpoint.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Updates: Ensure all WordPress themes and plugins are regularly updated to the latest versions.
- Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of all installed themes and plugins.
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and monitoring for administrative accounts.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to European organizations using the affected theme, particularly those in the job board and recruitment sectors. Unauthorized access to administrative accounts can lead to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage. The widespread use of WordPress and the ease of exploitation make this vulnerability a high-priority concern for cybersecurity professionals in the EU.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Vulnerable Endpoint: The specific endpoint handling user detail updates, likely a REST API or AJAX handler.
- Token Validation: The theme fails to validate the presence and correctness of a token before processing the request.
- Exploit Payload: A crafted POST request with an empty token value and a new password can be used to exploit the vulnerability.
Detection and Monitoring:
- Log Analysis: Monitor server logs for unusual POST requests to the vulnerable endpoint, especially those with empty token values.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Implement IDS rules to detect and alert on suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint.
Patch Analysis:
- Code Review: Ensure the updated theme version includes proper token validation before processing user detail updates.
- Testing: Conduct thorough testing of the patched version to verify that the vulnerability has been effectively mitigated.
References:
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing robust security measures, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of their systems.