Executive Summary

The vulnerability exists in the User Profile Builder WordPress plugin (versions up to and including 3.15.5) and is classified as an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR). It occurs in the wppb_save_avatar_value() function due to missing validation on a user-controlled key.

This flaw allows authenticated users with subscriber-level access or higher to manipulate the 'post_author' field, enabling them to reassign ownership of arbitrary posts and attachments to themselves or others.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can impact you by allowing unauthorized users with low-level access (subscriber or above) to take control of posts and attachments they do not own by changing the ownership information.

Such unauthorized reassignment can lead to content manipulation, unauthorized content publishing or editing, and potential misuse of site resources or data.

The CVSS score of 4.3 indicates a low to medium severity impact, specifically affecting integrity without impacting confidentiality or availability.

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Detection Guidance

The vulnerability involves the wppb_save_avatar_value() function in the User Profile Builder WordPress plugin, where missing validation on a user-controlled key allows authenticated users to reassign ownership of posts and attachments. Detection would involve monitoring for unauthorized changes to the 'post_author' field on posts or attachments.

Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access with subscriber-level permissions or higher, detection can include auditing WordPress database entries for unexpected changes in post ownership, especially changes initiated by subscriber-level users.

No explicit detection commands or tools are provided in the available resources.

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Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.15.5 of the User Profile Builder plugin. Immediate mitigation steps include updating the plugin to a version where this vulnerability is fixed, if available.

If an update is not yet available, restrict subscriber-level users from accessing functionality that allows changing post ownership or disable the User Profile Builder plugin until a patch is released.

Additionally, monitor user activities for suspicious changes to post authorship and review user permissions to limit unnecessary access.

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Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access to reassign ownership of arbitrary posts and attachments by changing the 'post_author' field due to missing validation. This insecure direct object reference could potentially lead to unauthorized modification of user data or content ownership.

Such unauthorized changes to user data ownership could impact compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, which require strict controls over data integrity and access. However, the provided information does not explicitly discuss or analyze the impact on compliance with these or other standards.

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