CVE-2020-7916 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the LearnPress plugin for WordPress allows registered users to assign themselves the teacher role without proper permission checks.

Understanding CVE-2020-7916

This CVE identifies a security issue in the LearnPress plugin for WordPress that enables any registered user to elevate their role to a teacher without authorization.

What is CVE-2020-7916?

The vulnerability in the LearnPress plugin allows users to gain unauthorized access by assigning themselves the teacher role through a specific URI.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7916

The vulnerability permits any user to become a teacher/instructor, potentially accessing restricted data within the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7916

The technical aspects of the CVE provide insight into the specific vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in class-lp-admin-ajax.php in LearnPress 3.2.6.5 and earlier versions allows users to self-assign the teacher role without proper permission validation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: LearnPress plugin
Versions affected: 3.2.6.5 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Users exploit the vulnerability by accessing wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=learnpress_be_teacher URI to change their role to a teacher without permission checks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7916 involves immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update LearnPress to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor user roles and permissions to prevent unauthorized role changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit user roles and permissions to ensure proper access control.
Educate users on the importance of maintaining secure roles and permissions.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.