CVE-2024-54363: WP NssUser Register Privilege Escalation

CVE-2024-54363 Overview

CVE-2024-54363 is an Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability affecting the Wp NssUser Register WordPress plugin. This security flaw enables attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated permissions within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability exists in all versions of the plugin through version 1.0.0.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this privilege escalation vulnerability to gain unauthorized administrative access to WordPress sites running the vulnerable Wp NssUser Register plugin.

Affected Products

• Wp NssUser Register plugin version 1.0.0 and earlier
• WordPress installations using the wp-nssuser-register plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-16 - CVE CVE-2024-54363 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54363

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-266 (Incorrect Privilege Assignment), which occurs when a product incorrectly assigns privileges to particular entities, creating an unintended sphere of control for that entity. In the context of the Wp NssUser Register plugin, the flaw allows users to be assigned privileges beyond their intended authorization level.

The vulnerability affects the user registration functionality of the plugin, where improper validation or assignment of user roles during the registration process allows attackers to escalate their privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where administrative access provides complete control over the website, including the ability to install malicious plugins, modify content, and access sensitive data.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect handling of privilege assignment within the Wp NssUser Register plugin. The plugin fails to properly validate or restrict the role assignments during user registration, allowing attackers to manipulate the registration process to gain elevated privileges. This is a classic authorization bypass scenario where input controlling user roles is not adequately secured.

Attack Vector

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating user registration requests to the WordPress site. By crafting malicious registration data that includes elevated role parameters, an attacker can bypass intended access controls and register with administrative or other privileged roles. The exploitation typically involves:

1. Identifying a WordPress site using the vulnerable Wp NssUser Register plugin
2. Submitting a crafted registration request with manipulated role parameters
3. Successfully registering with elevated privileges (e.g., administrator role)
4. Using the elevated access to compromise the WordPress installation

For detailed technical information, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54363

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected new user accounts with administrator or elevated privileges
• Unusual user registration activity in WordPress logs
• New users appearing in the WordPress admin panel that were not created by authorized administrators
• Modified wp_usermeta entries showing unexpected wp_capabilities values

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress user registration logs for anomalous activity
• Implement real-time alerting for new administrator account creation
• Use security plugins to audit user role assignments and changes
• Review wp_users and wp_usermeta database tables for unauthorized privilege assignments

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress audit logging to track all user registration events
• Configure alerts for any new users created with administrative privileges
• Regularly review user accounts and their assigned roles in WordPress
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with WordPress-specific rulesets to detect exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54363

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately deactivate and remove the Wp NssUser Register plugin from all WordPress installations
• Audit all existing user accounts for unauthorized privilege assignments
• Reset passwords for all administrator accounts as a precautionary measure
• Review WordPress activity logs for signs of exploitation

Patch Information

As of the available information, the vulnerability affects Wp NssUser Register plugin version 1.0.0 and all prior versions. WordPress site administrators should check with the plugin developer for updated versions that address this vulnerability. Until a patch is available, the plugin should be removed from production environments.

For additional details, consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory.

Workarounds

• Disable the Wp NssUser Register plugin entirely until a patched version is available
• Implement additional access controls at the web server level to restrict registration endpoints
• Use alternative, well-maintained user registration plugins with proper security audits
• Enable WordPress default registration handling with appropriate role restrictions

# WordPress CLI commands to audit and manage users
# List all administrator users
wp user list --role=administrator --format=table

# Check for recently created users
wp user list --orderby=user_registered --order=desc --format=table

# Remove suspicious users (replace USER_ID with actual ID)
# wp user delete USER_ID --reassign=1