CVE-2024-11917 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) affecting the JobSearch WP Job Board plugin for WordPress, developed by eyecix. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.8.8, with a partial patch applied in version 2.8.4. The core issue arises from improper handling and configuration within three specific functions: 'jobsearch_xing_response_data_callback', 'set_access_tokes', and 'google_callback'. These functions are responsible for processing authentication callbacks from third-party OAuth providers Xing and Google. Due to flawed implementation, unauthenticated attackers can bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access. Specifically, an attacker can log in as the first connected Xing user or any connected Xing user if the attacker knows the Xing user ID. Similarly, for Google authentication, an attacker can log in as the first connected Google user if that user has logged in within the last thirty days and has not logged out since. This bypass does not require valid credentials or user interaction, leveraging session or token mismanagement. The vulnerability allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users, potentially gaining access to sensitive job board data, user profiles, and administrative functions depending on the compromised account privileges. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant risk for affected WordPress sites using this plugin. The partial patch in version 2.8.4 suggests some mitigation efforts, but full remediation requires updating beyond version 2.8.8 or applying vendor-provided fixes once available.

For European organizations, especially those operating recruitment platforms or job boards using WordPress with the JobSearch WP Job Board plugin, this vulnerability poses a considerable threat. Unauthorized access through authentication bypass can lead to data breaches involving personal information of job seekers and employers, including resumes, contact details, and potentially sensitive corporate hiring strategies. This can result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and operational disruptions. Attackers impersonating users could manipulate job postings, inject malicious content, or escalate privileges if administrative accounts are compromised. The impact extends to undermining trust in digital recruitment services and could facilitate further attacks such as phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting affected users. Given the plugin’s integration with popular OAuth providers Xing and Google, the vulnerability also risks compromising federated identity trust models, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known exploits currently suggests a window for proactive defense, but the medium severity rating indicates that exploitation could have moderate to high consequences depending on the targeted user roles and data sensitivity.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should update the JobSearch WP Job Board plugin to the latest version beyond 2.8.8 once a full patch is released by eyecix. Until then, consider disabling third-party OAuth login integrations (Xing and Google) to prevent exploitation. 2. Access control review: Audit user accounts connected via Xing and Google, especially those with elevated privileges, and enforce re-authentication or password resets to invalidate potentially compromised sessions. 3. Session management: Implement strict session expiration policies and ensure users are logged out after inactivity to reduce the risk window for session hijacking. 4. Monitoring and logging: Enable detailed logging of authentication events and monitor for unusual login patterns, such as multiple logins from different IPs or rapid successive logins as the same user. 5. Web application firewall (WAF): Deploy WAF rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable callback endpoints. 6. Vendor communication: Engage with eyecix for timely updates and patches, and subscribe to security advisories related to this plugin. 7. User education: Inform users about the risk and encourage them to log out after sessions and report suspicious account activity. 8. Alternative authentication: Consider implementing additional multi-factor authentication (MFA) layers independent of OAuth providers to mitigate unauthorized access risks.