Events Made Easy WordPress Plugin Unauthenticated Data Modification Vulnerability

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) flaw in the Events Made Easy WordPress plugin before version 3.1.4. It allows unauthenticated attackers to modify personal data of any person record by exploiting improper authorization checks. The plugin relies only on a public nonce without per-record token or ownership verification, enabling attackers to overwrite PII by sequentially enumerating person IDs.

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Detection Guidance

Check if the Events Made Easy WordPress plugin version is below 3.1.4. Look for unauthorized modifications to person records by monitoring admin-ajax.php POST requests with public nonces and manipulated person_id values. Ensure no public pages render EME shortcodes without proper access controls.

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Impact Analysis

If you use the vulnerable plugin version, attackers could modify personal data of any person record, including sensitive PII. This requires at least one existing person record and a public page with an EME shortcode. Attackers can harvest a public nonce and send crafted requests to overwrite data via the admin-ajax.php endpoint.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to non-compliance with GDPR and HIPAA by allowing unauthorized modification of personal data. GDPR requires protecting personal data integrity, while HIPAA mandates safeguarding protected health information. Unauthorized changes to such data could result in violations and legal penalties.

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Mitigation Strategies

Update the Events Made Easy plugin to version 3.1.4 or later immediately. Remove or restrict access to public pages rendering EME shortcodes. Implement additional authorization checks for data-change requests beyond public nonces.

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