Description
A critical vulnerability has been identified in the AdForest theme for WordPress. The vulnerability allows for authentication bypass in all versions up to, and including, 5.1.8. Due to improper verification of a user’s identity before logging them in, it is possible for unauthenticated attackers to authenticate as any user, provided they have configured OTP login by phone number.
Affected Product(s)
- AdForest WordPress Theme, Versions up to and including 5.1.8
Technical Details
The identified vulnerability exists due to the AdForest theme’s failure to adequately verify user identities before granting authentication. This omission stems from the plugin’s improper handling of the OTP (One-Time Password) login mechanism by phone number. As a result, the vulnerability allows for authentication bypass, leading to unauthorized access by attackers who can authenticate as any user once they have the OTP login configured. Analyzing the theme’s use and structure, AdForest is a popular classified WordPress theme designed to create listing directories for advertisements. The functionality of the OTP login by phone number is meant to enhance the ease of logging in for users by utilizing a more secure, two-factor authentication method. However, the failure to implement proper checks in the OTP login system provides a critical weakness that can be exploited.
This vulnerability can lead to severe consequences, particularly because attackers leveraging this bypass can acquire the same access rights as the user they authenticate as. If an attacker gains access to an administrator account, they could potentially modify website settings, create and delete users, change the website content, or even install backdoors for further exploits. The official information from sources such as the CVE database and NVD detail the technical nature of this vulnerability and underscore its criticality with a CVSSv3 score of 9.8, denoting the highest level of severity.
Threat actors exploiting this vulnerability facilitate unauthorized access by exploiting the OTP mechanism. With OTPs designed to secure logins by sending a one-time code via SMS through a user’s registered phone number, reliance heavily on this method without additional verification checks like a password or 2-Step Authentication leads to a security breakdown. Thereby, an attacker who intercepts or guesses the OTP can log in as a different user, gaining control over their account and subsequently the entire site if they impersonate an admin. This type of security lapse evinces common security practices failures, often arising from a rush to implement user-friendly features without considering potential security risks thoroughly.
The absence of multi-factor authentication can be particularly problematic. Developers might bypass deeper security checks to prioritize functionality, inadvertently opening doors to vulnerability exploits. An example can be seen in past vulnerabilities where authentication mechanisms were either not implemented correctly or skipped to accommodate ease-of-use features, resulting in significant security weaknesses.
References to vulnerabilities in themes like AdForest on platforms such as ThemeForest call attention to the broader ecosystem concerns in WordPress themes and plugins, where exploitation vectors remain active due to users running older, unpatched versions. Given this context, the AdForest’s authentication bypass vulnerability highlights essential lessons in building robust security measures into web applications from the onset, ensuring features like OTP are augmented with rigorous secondary checks.
Weakness
The weaknesses associated with this vulnerability include:
- **CWE-288: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel**: The vulnerability allows attackers to authenticate without passing the standard authentication mechanism properly.
- **CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function**: The critical function of identity verification is missing, leading to unauthorized access.
Impact Assessment
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulate website content, or execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Compromised user accounts, especially administrative ones, could lead to widespread malicious activities, including the installation of malware, defacement of the site, or complete site takeover.
Active Exploitation
Currently, there have been observations of attempts to exploit this vulnerability in the wild. Attackers are actively targeting websites running vulnerable versions of the AdForest theme, leveraging the OTP bypass to gain unauthorized access.
Ransomware Association
While there is no direct evidence linking this vulnerability to specific ransomware attacks, vulnerabilities of this nature often become targets for ransomware operators. They exploit such weaknesses to gain an initial foothold into systems, deploy ransomware, and encrypt critical data, demanding ransom payments for decryption.
Mitigation and Resolution
We have released a patch that addresses this vulnerability. Please update to AdForest version 5.1.9 immediately, which includes the necessary fixes to prevent authentication bypass.
Recommendations
- We strongly recommend that all customers apply the latest patch as soon as possible.
- Ensure that your WordPress themes and plugins are always updated to the latest versions.
- Regularly review and audit the security configurations of your website and its themes/plugins.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities on your website.
- Consider using security plugins that offer additional features such as login attempt monitoring and rate-limiting.
- Educate users about the importance of not disclosing OTPs and the risks associated with phishing attacks.
References