CVE-2024-0679

ColorMag <= 3.1.2 - Missing Authorization to Arbitrary Plugin Installation

2024-01-19 00:00
Sean Murphy

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 3.1.3
Affected Theme
ColorMag
Affected Version
<= 3.1.2
CVSS
6.5Medium
Weakness type
CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
CVE
CVE-2024-0679
View all ColorMag vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2024-0679 is a medium-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the ColorMag WordPress theme, affecting versions <= 3.1.2. It carries a CVSS score of 6.5 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high integrity impact). The root cause is a missing authorization check on a reachable function. The issue is fixed in version 3.1.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed January 2024, reported by Sean Murphy.

Vulnerability Overview

The ColorMag theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access due to a missing capability check on the plugin_action_callback() function in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to install and activate arbitrary plugins.

Technical Analysis

The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on integrity.

CWE-862: Missing Authorization

ColorMag <= 3.1.2 carries this weakness at plugin_action_callback(), and reaching it takes a caller who can reach the endpoint. A missing authorization check means a function is reachable by anyone who can reach the endpoint, because the code never asks whether the caller is allowed to perform the action.

Any user who can reach the endpoint gets to run an action reserved for higher-privileged roles, from reading protected data to changing settings or content. For ColorMag the fix is 3.1.3: builds <= 3.1.2 are affected, anything from 3.1.3 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 3.1.3, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

Because it turns on account access, WordSec's login security is the relevant layer: role-based two-factor, captcha and brute-force limits raise the cost of getting the account this needs. None of that substitutes for the fix: ColorMag 3.1.3 closes this, and updating the theme is the step that ends it.

  • Login Security
  • Alerts

External References

Related records

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