User Profile Builder – Insecure Direct Object Reference – CVE-2023-6504 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What kind of user data could be exposed through this vulnerability?

What kind of user data could be exposed through this vulnerability? Sensitive user details like names, email addresses, locations, or other identifiable registration and profile information could get exposed without proper authorization depending on what fields you gather and store. These cover signup information as well as contact and bio data from user profiles.

Q: Can this allow taking over user accounts or my site?

Can this allow taking over user accounts or my site? No, the vulnerability only enables viewing protected user metadata, not direct access for account takeover or elevating permissions to compromise the overall site. So while private user details could leak, this alone doesn't enable full attacks without chaining further technical exploitation.

Q: How can I check if my user data was accessed?

How can I check if my user data was accessed? Carefully review user profile changes and registration logs after updating for any suspicious activity like new unrecognized users signing up. Also closely inspect sensitive fields submitted previously for any modifications possibly indicating unauthorized access occurred if data got changed or removed

Q: What alternative user registration plugins could I consider?

What alternative user registration plugins could I consider? Some highly-rated alternatives for custom user registration forms, profiles, and roles include UserPro, Ultimate Member, ProfilePress, and Paid Member Subscriptions. Vet options carefully for security and compatibility before replacing User Profile Builder.

Q: Why are WordPress plugins so prone to vulnerabilities?

Why are WordPress plugins so prone to vulnerabilities? The community-driven open source nature enabling WordPress plugins fosters rapid innovation but lacks consistent centralized vetting and auditing. Code transparency leads to quicker discoveries but also introduces risks if contributors have varied skills levels without enough layered reviews occurring early.

Q: What proactive steps can I take to stay secure?

What proactive steps can I take to stay secure? Consider managed WordPress hosting providers handling auto-updates for you rather than manual plugin maintenance. Minimize plugins only to highly-rated essentials curated by reputable recommendation lists. Perform regular scans with tools like Wordfence. And implement site-wide two-factor authentication to mitigate breach impacts.

Q: What resources offer WordPress hardening advice?

What resources offer WordPress hardening advice? The Codex provides exceptional hardening guides covering permissions, keys, file hardening, blocking bad bots, and extensive plugin advice. WordPress.org's general security FAQ introduces core tenets too. Many superior third-party learning resources exist through publishers like Apress covering WordPress security.

Q: Who can I contact for professional security services?

Who can I contact for professional security services? My digital agency offers affordable website security packages including setup help, file and traffic audits, cleaning detected infections, extensive WordPress hardening, and tailored recommendations to fit small business budgets. Schedule a free consultation anytime to discuss protecting your online presence!

Q: Should I uninstall User Profile Builder completely?

Should I uninstall User Profile Builder completely? Likely unnecessary given this patch prevents the specific user metadata exposure threat. Updates provide the required protection. However, consider deleting very sensitive user details that may have gotten exposed until fully vetting the plugin's repaired security posture. There are likely plugin alternatives if disabling features temporarily.

Q: How can I prevent similar threats in the future?

How can I prevent similar threats in the future? Staying vigilant about regularly updating WordPress and all plugins remains crucial. Minimizing plugins, enabling auto-updates, hardening sites with firewalls and scanners, and leveraging managed hosting solutions can also significantly reduce vulnerability surface areas long-term. Defense in depth protects when threats inevitably arise.

By Your WP Guy | January 5, 2024

Plugin Name: User Profile Builder – Beautiful User Registration Forms, User Profiles & User Role Editor

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: profile-builder
Software Status: Active
Software Author: reflectionmedia
Software Downloads: 4,108,981
Active Installs: 50,000
Last Updated: January 5, 2024
Patched Versions: 3.10.8
Affected Versions: <= 3.10.6

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Profile Builder <= 3.10.7
Title: Insecure Direct Object Reference to Sensitive Information Exposure via user_meta Shortcode
Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
CVE: CVE-2023-6504
CVSS Score: 4.3
Publicly Published: January 5, 2024
Researcher: Francesco Carlucci
Description: The User Profile Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the wppb_toolbox_usermeta_handler function in all versions up to, and including, 3.10.7. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to expose sensitive information within user metadata.

Summary:

The User Profile Builder plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 3.10.7 that allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access and above to perform Insecure Direct Object Reference and expose sensitive information within user metadata. This vulnerability has been patched in version 3.10.8.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability stems from a missing capability check on the wppb_toolbox_usermeta_handler function, enabling authenticated attackers with contributor-level access and above to access user metadata without proper authorization. This poses a risk of exposing sensitive information. To address this vulnerability, users are strongly advised to update to version 3.10.8.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Update the User Profile Builder plugin to version 3.10.8 or later.
Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Review user metadata for any unauthorized access or modifications.
Alternate Plugins: Consider using alternative plugins with similar functionality as a precaution.
Stay Updated: Regularly update your WordPress plugins to the latest versions to avoid vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

The swift response from the User Profile Builder developers to patch this vulnerability underscores the importance of timely updates. Users are advised to ensure that they are running version 3.10.8 or later to secure their WordPress installations.

References:

Simplifying Website Security for Busy Owners

As a busy website owner without ample time to stay on top of every threat, keeping your site secure can feel impossible. But vulnerabilities like the one recently patched in the popular User Profile Builder plugin only reinforce why vigilance matters. In this post I’ll simplify security for you by clearly explaining the vulnerability, your risk level, and actionable ways to lock down your website in minutes.

Understanding the User Profile Builder Vulnerability

User Profile Builder helps over 50,000 WordPress users customize registration forms, profiles, and user roles. This week a security researcher disclosed a vulnerability in versions up to 3.10.7 enabling some authenticated users to access private user metadata.

Specifically, the bug stems from a capability check missing in the wppb_toolbox_usermeta_handler function. Users with contributor access and above could exploit this to view signup details, contact info, or other data exceeding their roles. Depending on the fields exposed, this could lead to personal data theft.

The developers have now released version 3.10.8 to fully fix the vulnerability, scoring a moderate 4.3 CVSS severity rating due to limiting the user roles affected. Still, User Profile Builder users face unnecessary risk until updating.

Assessing Your Site’s Risk Level

While branded moderately severe, the vulnerability still poses unnecessary website risks from private data access. Depending on your registration fields, attackers could access names, emails, IP addresses, or other identifiable details to target individuals without permission to view profiles.

The good news is sites restricting contributor permissions likely face minimal real-world risk even before patching. But everyone should still update regardless since the metadata viewing vector exists pointlessly. Eliminating this unnecessary exposure keeps your site safer.

Updating to Eliminate the Vulnerability

If User Profile Builder is active on your WordPress site, you should:

Immediately update to v3.10.8, which specifically repairs the missing capability check.
Check user metadata for any unauthorized modifications.
Consider temporarily hiding sensitive fields until assessing the risk.
Restrict contributor permissions to only those viewing needs essential for your site’s functionality.

Staying Secure Long-Term

User Profile Builder has faced over 19 previous vulnerabilities since 2014, indicating systemic issues around access controls. From SQL injection to stored XSS and beyond, threats inevitably arise without diligent auditing and patching.

As tempting as neglecting security feels for overloaded owners, a well-hardened site takes little effort:

Enable automatic background updates for plugins to remove the manual chore.
Minimize plugins and themes to only reputable options essential for your needs.
Leverage managed WordPress hosts handling technical tasks like updates for you.

Staying Secure

Staying on top of WordPress security can feel overwhelming for small business owners without dedicated IT staff. At Your WP Guy, we exist to shoulder that burden for you. Our WordPress experts can fully audit, secure, maintain and support your site - so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.

Don't tackle security risks alone. Let us help you assess any impact from this vulnerability, update your plugins, and implement ongoing maintenance to avoid future threats. We treat your website like it's our own - because we know how critical it is for reaching your customers.

Get in touch for a free consultation today on making WordPress security stress-free. Call 678-995-5169 or book a call here. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you safeguard your online presence.

What kind of user data could be exposed through this vulnerability?

Can this allow taking over user accounts or my site?

How can I check if my user data was accessed?

What alternative user registration plugins could I consider?

Why are WordPress plugins so prone to vulnerabilities?

What proactive steps can I take to stay secure?

Consider managed WordPress hosting providers handling auto-updates for you rather than manual plugin maintenance. Minimize plugins only to highly-rated essentials curated by reputable recommendation lists. Perform regular scans with tools like Wordfence. And implement site-wide two-factor authentication to mitigate breach impacts.

What resources offer WordPress hardening advice?

Who can I contact for professional security services?

Should I uninstall User Profile Builder completely?

Likely unnecessary given this patch prevents the specific user metadata exposure threat. Updates provide the required protection. However, consider deleting very sensitive user details that may have gotten exposed until fully vetting the plugin's repaired security posture. There are likely plugin alternatives if disabling features temporarily.

How can I prevent similar threats in the future?

Staying vigilant about regularly updating WordPress and all plugins remains crucial. Minimizing plugins, enabling auto-updates, hardening sites with firewalls and scanners, and leveraging managed hosting solutions can also significantly reduce vulnerability surface areas long-term. Defense in depth protects when threats inevitably arise.

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Posted in Security, Vulnerabilities and tagged CVE-2023-6504, Plugin Updates, Plugin Vulnerability, securing wordpress, User Profile Builder, user profiles, user registration, Website Security, WordPress, wordpress plugins, wordpress security