CVE-2024-12563

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2024-12563 - s2Member Pro Plugin Local File Inclusion

This document outlines a remediation and mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-12563, a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability found in the s2Member Pro WordPress plugin.

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • Vulnerability: Local File Inclusion (LFI)
  • Plugin: s2Member Pro
  • Affected Versions: All versions up to and including 250214
  • Location: The template attribute is vulnerable, allowing arbitrary file inclusion.
  • Impact: Authenticated attackers (Contributor role and above) can include and execute arbitrary files on the server. This can lead to:
    • Bypassing access controls.
    • Obtaining sensitive data.
    • Achieving remote code execution (RCE).

2. Severity:

  • CVSS Score: 8.8 (High)
  • CVSS Vector: The provided data does not fully contain the CVSS vector string, but with a base score of 8.8, and based on the description, it is likely close to: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • Severity Level: High
  • Explanation: The ability to execute arbitrary code on a server with a WordPress plugin is a critical vulnerability. The attacker only needs Contributor-level access, which is a relatively low privilege. The potential impact ranges from data theft to complete system compromise.

3. Known Exploit Information:

  • Exploitability: Known exploit exists. The provided data clearly indicates that this CVE has been created meaning an exploit exists.
  • Privilege Required: Contributor level and above (authenticated).
  • Attack Vector: Web-based. An attacker can likely exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious request with a carefully crafted template parameter.

4. Remediation Strategy:

The primary solution is to update the s2Member Pro plugin to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability. Since a patch hasn’t been released according to the information in the provided data, the following steps should be taken:

  • Immediate Action: Disable or Remove s2Member Pro: The most effective immediate mitigation is to completely disable or remove the s2Member Pro plugin until a patched version is available. This will prevent any potential exploitation.
  • Monitor for Updates: Closely monitor the official s2Member website, their support channels, and the Wordfence blog for announcements regarding a patched version of the plugin. Subscribe to their mailing list if available.
  • Apply the Update Immediately: Once a patched version is released, update the plugin immediately. Do not delay!
  • Review Server Logs: After updating, review your server logs for any suspicious activity or attempted exploits. Look for unusual requests involving the template parameter or attempts to access sensitive files.
  • Communicate the Risk: Inform all WordPress users, especially those with contributor-level or higher roles, about the vulnerability and the mitigation steps taken.

5. Mitigation Strategy (If Update is Not Immediately Possible):

If you absolutely cannot disable or remove s2Member Pro, and a patched version is not yet available, the following mitigation steps may help reduce the risk (but are not a substitute for updating the plugin):

  • Restrict User Roles: Consider temporarily restricting user roles to the lowest necessary level. Limit the number of users with Contributor, Author, Editor, or Administrator roles. This reduces the number of potential attackers.
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules: Implement WAF rules to filter requests that contain suspicious patterns related to LFI attacks. Specifically, block requests where the template parameter contains file paths, directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../), or attempts to access sensitive files (e.g., /etc/passwd, wp-config.php). Contact your WAF provider or security team to help create these rules.
  • File System Permissions: Review and harden file system permissions to limit the files that the web server user can access. Ensure that sensitive files are not world-readable.
  • Disable PHP Execution in Uploads Directory: If possible, disable PHP execution in the WordPress uploads directory. This can help prevent attackers from uploading and executing malicious PHP scripts. This can often be configured in the .htaccess file within the uploads directory or through server configuration.
  • Implement a Robust Monitoring Solution: Use a security monitoring solution (like Wordfence, Sucuri, or similar) to detect and alert you to suspicious activity.

6. Long-Term Security Recommendations:

  • Principle of Least Privilege: Implement the principle of least privilege for all WordPress users. Grant users only the minimum permissions required for their roles.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of your WordPress website and all installed plugins and themes.
  • Keep Software Updated: Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
  • Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce strong passwords and enable MFA for all user accounts.
  • Security Training: Provide security awareness training to all WordPress users to educate them about common threats and best practices.

Disclaimer: This remediation/mitigation strategy is based on the information provided in the vulnerability report. It is essential to consult with security professionals and the s2Member Pro plugin developers for the most accurate and up-to-date information and guidance. These mitigations are not guaranteed to prevent all attacks and should be used as part of a layered security approach. Remember, the only true fix is to update to a patched version of the plugin.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-03-18 20:21:45
  • Updated Date: 2025-03-18 21:15:24

More Details

CVE-2024-12563