Exam CS0-003 topic 1 question 70 discussion

Correct. The provided snippet represents an attempt to exploit a vulnerability using a crafted URL to target the /wp-json/trx_addons/V2/get/sc_layout endpoint, with parameters indicating a potential attack on WordPress to insert a user with an administrator role. To mitigate this attack, you would want to focus on preventing unauthorized user creation and limiting access to sensitive endpoints.

o mitigate the attack represented by this snippet, you would typically implement controls at the web server level or within the web application itself. Here's the analysis of the options: A. Limit user creation to administrators only: This control would help restrict user creation privileges, but it may not directly address the specific URL path or vulnerability being targeted in the snippet (/wp-json/trx_addons/V2/get/sc_layout?sc=wp_insert_user&role=administrator). It's important to address the vulnerability at the application level.

The exploit shown in the snippet attempts to manipulate the wp_insert_user function in WordPress by passing the role=administrator parameter. This is a common type of privilege escalation attempt, where an attacker is trying to gain administrator privileges on the server. The exploit attempts to exploit the wp-json/trx_addons/V2/get/sc_layout endpoint, which may allow the attacker to create or manipulate users with elevated privileges.

The best control to mitigate the attack is B. Limit layout creation to administrators only. Rationale: The exploit abuses the /sc_layout endpoint in the trx_addons plugin, which appears to allow arbitrary function execution (e.g., wp_insert_user) via the sc parameter. This suggests the plugin does not properly validate user permissions or sanitize input. By restricting layout creation to administrators, the endpoint would require admin privileges to access, preventing unauthorized users (or attackers) from exploiting it to create malicious administrator accounts.

Option C is the strongest way to mitigate the attack, although it may slow down operations by limiting access to even administrators, but the question does ask for the BEST way to mitigate. Setting user creation to admin only might not stop the 0-day exploit, as it may bypass normal account creation methods.

The answer is B. A is not relevant because the script is not creating a user. It is a privilege escalation and the exploit is trying to interact with layout creation functionality and manipulate user roles. C&D are an instant no go because making them read only means the Admins can't manipulate or alter!!

A vulnerabilidades está no endpoint!

The vulnerability lies within the endpoint, not necessarily within the files themselves so limiting access to admins would make no difference in this case

A. Limit user creation to administrators only.

Those attacks target administrative user account creation. If you are running the ThemeREX Addons plugin on your site and you discover a new suspicious administrative account, it is very likely that your site was compromised due to this vulnerability. So, limiting the account creation to the administrator won't stop it if the threat actor is able to escalate the privilege to admin anyway. Quick fix, Remove file wp-content/plugins/trx_addons/includes/plugin.rest-api.php If the file is not in your plugin, then there is no problem at all. Then, delete the following line of code in wp-content/plugins/trx_addons/trx_addions.php file: require_once TRX_ADDONS_PLUGIN_DIR_INCLUDES . ‘plugin.rest-api.php’; but since the above option is not available as an answer, I will go with C.

If only designated admins can make users the exploit does not work without escalating privileges.

/wp-json/: This is the standard prefix for the WordPress REST API. trx_addons/V2/get/sc_layout: This suggests a custom endpoint provided by the trx_addons plugin or theme. It could be used for getting information about layouts. sc=wp_insert_user&role=administrator: These are parameters passed to the endpoint. It indicates a request to insert a WordPress user with the role of an administrator Implement strong access controls to restrict access to sensitive actions like user creation to authorized users only.

A. Limit user creation to administrators only.

Is there a reason for the trx_addons directory to be visible by all users? Wouldn't be a better option to limit the access to admin only?

By selecting option B, "Limit layout creation to administrators only," you directly target the vulnerable endpoint that the attacker is trying to exploit. This way, you cut off the attack path at its source. If you were to go with option A, it might stop this specific exploit but would not address the vulnerability in the trx_addons plugin's endpoint, leaving it open to other potential abuses.