Account Takeover via Password Reset in Invoice Generator WordPress Plugin

Executive Summary

The Invoice Generator plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability that allows an attacker to take over any user account, including administrator accounts, by exploiting the password reset functionality.

This happens because the function handling password resets does not verify the authenticity of the request properly. Specifically, it lacks nonce verification and authorization checks, and it uses a weak comparison between the reset activation code provided and the stored user data.

If a user has never requested a password reset, the check always passes, allowing an attacker to supply any user ID and reset that user's password without needing the activation code.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to take over any account on the site, including administrator accounts, by resetting passwords without proper authorization checks.

Such unauthorized account takeover can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal data, which may result in violations of data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA.

Specifically, the compromise of administrator accounts can lead to full control over the website and its data, increasing the risk of data breaches and non-compliance with security requirements mandated by these standards.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to a full account takeover of any user on the affected WordPress site, including administrators.

An attacker can reset the password of any user without authorization, gaining complete control over that account.

With administrator access, the attacker can manipulate the website, steal sensitive data, install malicious code, or disrupt services.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability can be detected by monitoring for unauthorized POST requests to the AJAX handler associated with the Invoice Generator plugin's password reset functionality. Specifically, look for POST requests to the endpoint handling the pravel_invoice_change_password() function that include parameters such as reset_user_id without a reset_activation_code.

Since the vulnerability involves unauthenticated attackers sending crafted POST requests, network or web server logs can be inspected for suspicious password reset attempts that do not include a reset_activation_code or that target administrator user IDs.

No specific commands or detection scripts are provided in the available resources.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling or restricting access to the vulnerable password reset AJAX handler in the Invoice Generator plugin until a patch is applied.

Ensure that the plugin is updated to a version beyond 1.0.0 once a fix is released, as all versions up to and including 1.0.0 are affected.

As a temporary measure, consider implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthenticated POST requests to the vulnerable AJAX endpoint or to require nonce verification and authorization checks.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0