The RateMyAgent Official plugin for WordPress (versions up to, and including, 1.4.) suffers from a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability. This vulnerability specifically affects the 'rma-settings-wizard' function, and due to missing or incorrect nonce validation, it can allow unauthenticated attackers to update the plugin's API key. This poses a significant security threat as the attackers only need to trick a site administrator into performing an action, such as clicking on a malicious link.

In this detailed analysis, we will explore the steps necessary to exploit this vulnerability, with code snippets and references to the original documentation. Please note that this post is meant for educational purposes only, and should not be used for any malicious intent.

Exploit Details

The vulnerable code in the RateMyAgent Official WordPress plugin is contained within the 'rma-settings-wizard' function, specifically in the nonce validation section. The nonce, or "number used once," serves as a security token to prevent unauthorized actions. However, the missing or incorrect nonce validation means that it doesn't properly prevent CSRF attacks.

The following code snippet demonstrates the vulnerable function

function rma_settings_wizard() {
  check_admin_referer( 'rma-wizard-nonce' );

  // Current user can manage options
  if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
    wp_die( __( 'You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page.' ) );
  }

  // Process the API key update.
  // ... 
}

To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs to craft a malicious link containing the desired API key and trick the site administrator into clicking it. Once clicked, the RateMyAgent plugin's API key will be changed, giving the attacker unauthorized access to various functionalities.

https://yourwordpresssite.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=rma_settings_wizard&_wpnonce=<FAKE_NONCE>&apikey=<MALICIOUS_API_KEY>;

The attacker can create a fake nonce in order to bypass the 'check_admin_referer' check. This is possible due to the missing or incorrect validation of the nonce, leading to a successful CSRF attack.

Mitigation

To fix this vulnerability, developers need to properly implement nonce validation in the 'rma-settings-wizard' function. This can be done by verifying the nonce before processing the API key update. The corrected code should look like this:

function rma_settings_wizard() {
  if ( !check_admin_referer( 'rma-wizard-nonce', 'rma_nonce' ) ) {
    wp_die( __( 'Security check failed.' ) );
  }

  // Current user can manage options 
  if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
    wp_die( __( 'You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page.' ) );
  }

  // Process the API key update.
  // ...
}

To protect your WordPress site, it is essential to update the RateMyAgent Official plugin to the latest version, which includes the proper nonce validation.

1. RateMyAgent Official WordPress Plugin
2. WordPress Nonces - A Guide to Securing Your Plugins & Themes
3. CVE Details: CVE-2025-0801
4. Understanding CSRF - Cross-Site Request Forgery

Conclusion

The CVE-2025-0801 vulnerability poses a significant threat to WordPress sites using the RateMyAgent Official plugin (versions up to, and including, 1.4.). By understanding and mitigating this vulnerability, WordPress administrators and developers can significantly improve the security of their plugins and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Timeline

Published on: 02/28/2025 05:15:33 UTC
Last modified on: 03/06/2025 20:42:42 UTC