Vulnerability Notice: CVE-2024-11925

Vendor:
Eyecix

Affected Product:
Jobsearch_Wp_Job_Board

CVSS SCORE:
9.8 of 10 (Critical)

Risk Index:
4.67 of 10 (High)

Description

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the email verification component of the WP JobSearch plugin for WordPress, which can allow unauthenticated attackers to escalate privileges and potentially take over accounts, including those of site administrators.

 

Affected Product(s)

  • WP JobSearch Plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 2.6.7

 

Technical Details

This vulnerability affects the WP JobSearch plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 2.6.7. The issue resides in the user_account_activation function within the plugin, which is used to verify users’ email addresses. Upon closer inspection of the plugin’s code, it is clear that the user_account_activation function does not adequately verify the identity of the requester.

This means that an attacker can exploit the function to avoid the proper authentication checks. In practical terms, this can be exploited by an attacker who knows the email address of any valid user of the website. By sending a manipulated request to the server that uses the email address of a target user, the attacker can bypass the authentication mechanism and log in as that user without needing their password. If the email address of an administrative user is known, the attacker can gain administrative access.

This type of security flaw is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-288, “Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel.” The severity of this issue is underscored by its high CVSSv3 score of 9.8, reflecting its potential to cause significant impact on the security of affected systems.

Exploitation of this vulnerability is straightforward and could be carried out by attackers with little technical skill, making it highly accessible for malicious actors. Once an attacker gains access, they could potentially make changes to the site, access sensitive information, or disrupt the site’s operations. This vulnerability has been recognized and reported, prompting the developers of the WP JobSearch plugin to take action. However, until users install a patched version of the plugin, their sites remain vulnerable to potential attacks.

The references include detailed descriptions and technical insights into how the vulnerability can be exploited. It is advisable for site administrators to review these references to fully understand the risks and to implement the recommended security patches immediately.

 

Weakness

This vulnerability is associated with the weakness described under CWE-288: “Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel.” This weakness involves improper verification of user identity, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms.

 

Impact Assessment

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to any user’s account, including administrative accounts, thereby taking complete control of the affected WordPress site. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, defacement of the website, and further exploitation to compromise additional systems or spread malware.

 

Active Exploitation

As of the time of this writing, there have been reports and observations of active exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Malicious actors are using publicly available details to craft exploit attempts, aiming at sites running vulnerable versions of the plugin. Site administrators are strongly advised to take immediate mitigating actions.

 

Ransomware Association

There is no direct evidence linking this vulnerability to any specific ransomware attacks. However, the control obtained via this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to install ransomware on compromised systems as part of a broader attack strategy.

 

Mitigation and Resolution

We have released a patch that addresses this vulnerability. Please update your WP JobSearch plugin to version 2.6.8 or the latest available version immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. To update your plugin:

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins.”
  3. Find the “WP JobSearch” plugin in the list.
  4. Click on “Update Now” if an update is available.
  5. Confirm that the plugin is updated to the latest version. Additionally, it is recommended to regularly check for plugin updates and review your site’s security configurations to avoid similar issues in the future.

 

Recommendations

  • We strongly recommend that all customers apply the latest patch as soon as possible.
  • Navigate to the WordPress admin dashboard and ensure all plugins are up to date.
  • Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
  • Limit access to administrative accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
  • Monitor your website for any unusual activities or signs of compromise.
  • Implement regular backups of your site so you can restore it if an incident occurs.
  • Review the security settings of your WordPress site and plugins periodically.
  • Consider engaging with a reputable security service to perform regular audits.

 

 References 

 

View In Platform

https://vi.securin.io/vulnerability/detail/cve-2024-11925

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