CVE-2024-12131 is a medium severity authorization bypass vulnerability categorized under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) affecting the WP Job Portal WordPress plugin, a recruitment system widely used for company or job board websites. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.2.5 due to insufficient validation of a user-controlled key parameter. This flaw enables authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to perform insecure direct object references (IDOR), allowing them to submit resumes on behalf of other users. The core issue is that the plugin fails to verify that the user submitting a resume is authorized to do so for the targeted applicant, effectively bypassing intended access controls. The attack vector is network-based and requires low attack complexity since only authentication is needed, with no additional user interaction. The vulnerability impacts data integrity by permitting unauthorized modification or submission of application data but does not affect confidentiality or availability. No patches or fixes have been linked yet, and no active exploitation has been reported. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust access control validation in multi-user web applications, especially those handling sensitive recruitment data.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12131 is on data integrity within recruitment websites using the WP Job Portal plugin. Attackers with minimal privileges can impersonate other applicants by submitting resumes on their behalf, potentially leading to fraudulent job applications or manipulation of applicant data. This could undermine the trustworthiness of recruitment processes and damage organizational reputation. While confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, the integrity compromise could result in administrative overhead, legal risks, and operational disruption. Organizations relying on this plugin for hiring workflows may face challenges in verifying applicant authenticity and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires authentication, limiting exposure to internal or registered users, but insider threats or compromised accounts could leverage this flaw. Given the plugin's use in various countries, the impact could be widespread among businesses using WordPress-based recruitment solutions.

Organizations should immediately verify if they use the WP Job Portal plugin version 2.2.5 or earlier and plan to upgrade once a vendor patch is released. Until a patch is available, administrators should implement strict role-based access controls to limit Subscriber-level users' ability to submit or modify resumes. Monitoring and logging resume submissions for anomalous activity can help detect exploitation attempts. Applying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter may reduce risk. Additionally, conducting a thorough review of user permissions and restricting access to trusted users can mitigate insider threats. Developers maintaining custom forks or integrations should implement server-side validation to ensure users can only submit resumes for themselves. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on authorization controls are recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities.