CVE-2024-25935: Metagauss RegistrationMagic Auth Bypass

CVE-2024-25935 Overview

CVE-2024-25935 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (Broken Access Control) identified in the Metagauss RegistrationMagic plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authorization checks and access functionality that should be restricted to authorized users only. The flaw stems from improper implementation of access controls within the plugin, potentially allowing malicious actors to perform unauthorized actions on affected WordPress installations.

Critical Impact

This Missing Authorization vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass access controls, potentially leading to complete compromise of affected WordPress sites including unauthorized data access, modification, and service disruption.

Affected Products

• Metagauss RegistrationMagic versions up to and including 5.2.5.9
• WordPress installations using vulnerable RegistrationMagic plugin versions
• All platforms running the affected WordPress plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-04-11 - CVE-2024-25935 published to NVD
• 2025-02-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-25935

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), which occurs when a software component fails to perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. In the context of the RegistrationMagic WordPress plugin, this means that certain plugin functions or endpoints can be accessed without proper verification of user permissions.

The vulnerability is particularly severe because it can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. An attacker can directly interact with vulnerable endpoints to perform actions that should require administrative or other elevated privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-25935 lies in the absence of proper authorization checks within the RegistrationMagic plugin. When handling requests, the plugin fails to verify whether the requesting user has the necessary permissions to perform the requested action. This broken access control pattern allows any remote user, including completely unauthenticated attackers, to invoke restricted functionality.

WordPress plugins typically should implement capability checks using functions like current_user_can() to verify user permissions before executing sensitive operations. The vulnerable versions of RegistrationMagic either omit these checks entirely or implement them incorrectly for certain functionality.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no privileges, user interaction, or complex conditions to exploit. An attacker can send specially crafted HTTP requests to a WordPress site running a vulnerable version of RegistrationMagic to bypass authorization controls.

The exploitation does not require any authentication, making it accessible to anonymous attackers scanning for vulnerable WordPress installations. Since RegistrationMagic is a form builder and submission management plugin, successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive form submissions, modify registration settings, or manipulate user data.

For detailed technical information about the exploitation mechanism, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-25935

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected changes to RegistrationMagic plugin settings or form configurations
• Unauthorized access to form submission data or user registration records
• Anomalous HTTP requests targeting RegistrationMagic plugin endpoints from unknown IP addresses
• Unusual activity in WordPress access logs related to the plugin's AJAX handlers or REST endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress access logs for requests to RegistrationMagic plugin endpoints from unauthenticated users
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin
• Review audit logs for unauthorized modifications to plugin settings or form data
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions to identify post-exploitation activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for WordPress and specifically monitor plugin-related activities
• Set up alerts for access to sensitive RegistrationMagic functionality from non-administrative sessions
• Monitor file integrity for changes to RegistrationMagic plugin files that could indicate compromise
• Review form submission logs for evidence of unauthorized data access or exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-25935

Immediate Actions Required

• Update RegistrationMagic plugin to a version newer than 5.2.5.9 immediately
• Review WordPress access logs for any signs of exploitation prior to patching
• Audit form submissions and user data for unauthorized access or modifications
• Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if an update is not immediately available

Patch Information

The vulnerability affects RegistrationMagic versions from n/a through 5.2.5.9. Site administrators should update to the latest available version of the plugin through the WordPress plugin repository. After updating, verify the installation by checking the plugin version in the WordPress admin dashboard under Plugins.

For additional details on the vulnerability and patch status, consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the RegistrationMagic plugin if patching is not immediately possible
• Implement WAF rules to restrict access to RegistrationMagic endpoints to authenticated users only
• Limit access to the WordPress admin area using IP allowlisting where feasible
• Monitor plugin endpoints closely until the update can be applied

# WordPress CLI command to update RegistrationMagic plugin
wp plugin update custom-registration-form-builder-with-submission-manager

# Verify plugin version after update
wp plugin get custom-registration-form-builder-with-submission-manager --field=version

# Alternatively, disable plugin temporarily if update unavailable
wp plugin deactivate custom-registration-form-builder-with-submission-manager