CVE-2024-12434: SureMembers WordPress Plugin Sensitive Information Exposure Vulnerability via REST API

A Sensitive Information Exposure vulnerability has been discovered in the SureMembers plugin for WordPress, with the CVE-2024-12434 designation. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.10.6 and is exploitable through the REST API. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive data, including restricted content.

INTRODUCTION

SureMembers is a popular WordPress plugin designed to simplify the membership and subscription management process for website administrators. However, in versions up to 1.10.6, the plugin exposes sensitive information if exploited using the REST API. This vulnerability is assigned the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identifier CVE-2024-12434.

The REST (Representational State Transfer) API is a simple web service that enables communication and data transfer between various application components in a distributed system. In the case of SureMembers, it is the interface for managing membership access and interactions.

This long read post delves into the details of this vulnerability, providing code snippets and original references. The post will address the exploit details, outline how attackers can potentially abuse it, and recommend remediation steps.

VULNERABILITY DESCRIPTION

When using the REST API of the SureMembers plugin, there is a vulnerable endpoint /suremembers/v1/users that allows unauthenticated users to obtain sensitive information. By sending a request to this endpoint, attackers can gain access to restricted content, which may contain membership details, billing information, and users' personal data.

Exploiting this vulnerability does not require any special tools or advanced techniques. A simple HTTP request to the mentioned endpoint will provide the attacker with access to this sensitive information.

The following code snippet demonstrates the basic form of the exploit

import requests

url = "http://TARGET_WEBSITE/wp-json/suremembers/v1/users";

response = requests.get(url)

if response.status_code == 200:
    print("Sensitive Information:")
    print(response.json())
else:
    print("Could not access sensitive information.")

This Python script sends an HTTP GET request to the vulnerable endpoint, and if successful, the server will return a 200 OK status code and the JSON object containing the exposed sensitive information.

The full exploit, with proof of concept code, can be found at the following original reference

1. Exploit Database: CVE-2024-12434 - SureMembers WordPress Plugin 1.10.6 Sensitive Information Exposure via REST API - This link provides a detailed explanation of the vulnerability, as well as a working exploit code tested by security researchers.

Despite the simple nature of the exploit, the potential consequences of data exposure can be far-reaching and may include identity theft, financial fraud, unauthorized access to other systems, and other malicious activities as unauthorized users access premium membership data.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To protect against this vulnerability, it is advisable for website administrators utilizing the SureMembers plugin to follow these remediation steps:

1. Update the SureMembers plugin immediately: Ensuring that the plugin is up-to-date with the latest security fixes is the best defense against this type of vulnerability. Download and install the latest version of the plugin from the official WordPress Plugin Repository, available at SureMembers - WordPress Plugin to mitigate the risk.

2. Restrict access to the REST API: Limit access to only trusted parties by implementing IP address restrictions or requiring authentication for API requests.

3. Monitor and analyze access logs: Regularly examine logs for suspicious requests, especially those sent to the vulnerable endpoint /suremembers/v1/users.

4. Follow best practices for secure WordPress installations: Implement security measures such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, updated core files, and plugins that enhance the overall security of the WordPress website.

CONCLUSION

The CVE-2024-12434 vulnerability in the SureMembers WordPress plugin poses a significant risk to sensitive data. By exploiting the REST API, unauthenticated attackers can access and retrieve potentially sensitive information, including restricted content. Website administrators must take immediate action to update the plugin and implement necessary security measures to keep their user data safe and secure.

Timeline

Published on: 02/26/2025 13:15:36 UTC