📄 Description (English)
The Group Chat & Video Chat by AtomChat plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'atomchat_update_auth_ajax' and 'atomchat_update_layout_ajax' functions in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.7. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update plugin options, including critical settings such as API keys, authentication keys, and layout configurations.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
The AtomChat WordPress plugin (versions ≤1.1.7) contains a critical authorization bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated subscribers to modify sensitive plugin settings including API keys and authentication credentials. This vulnerability affects any WordPress installation using AtomChat for group chat and video functionality, potentially exposing communication infrastructure and API integrations. No patch is currently available, requiring immediate compensating controls.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 30, 2026 00:20
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations using AtomChat for internal communications (government agencies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and corporate enterprises) face significant risk. Banking and financial services sectors are particularly vulnerable if using the plugin for customer communication. Telecommunications companies (STC, Mobily) and energy sector organizations (ARAMCO) could experience compromise of communication channels and API integrations. Government entities under NCA oversight and healthcare providers under MOH regulations face compliance violations if customer/citizen data is exposed through compromised API keys.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government & Public Administration
Banking & Financial Services
Healthcare & Medical Institutions
Telecommunications
Energy & Utilities
Education
Corporate Enterprises
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Audit all WordPress installations for AtomChat plugin presence and version (≤1.1.7 are vulnerable)
2. Review user access logs for 'atomchat_update_auth_ajax' and 'atomchat_update_layout_ajax' function calls from Subscriber-level accounts
3. Rotate all API keys, authentication tokens, and credentials stored in AtomChat plugin settings immediately
4. Restrict user roles: Remove Subscriber access from WordPress installations using AtomChat until patched
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch available):
5. Disable the vulnerable AJAX functions via code modification: Add capability checks requiring 'manage_options' to atomchat_update_auth_ajax and atomchat_update_layout_ajax functions
6. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=atomchat_update_auth_ajax or atomchat_update_layout_ajax from non-administrator accounts
7. Apply WordPress security plugin rules (Wordfence, Sucuri) to monitor and block these specific AJAX calls
8. Implement database activity monitoring for wp_options table modifications related to atomchat settings
DETECTION RULES:
9. Monitor WordPress logs for: POST requests to admin-ajax.php with atomchat_update_auth_ajax or atomchat_update_layout_ajax actions from user_id with roles != administrator
10. Alert on wp_options table changes where option_name contains 'atomchat' and modified_by has Subscriber role
11. Track API key/authentication credential changes in plugin settings with source IP and user account
PATCHING:
12. Monitor AtomChat plugin repository for version 1.1.8+ release
13. Test patch in staging environment before production deployment
14. Apply patch immediately upon availability
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات WordPress للتحقق من وجود مكون AtomChat والإصدار (الإصدارات ≤1.1.7 معرضة للخطر)
2. مراجعة سجلات الوصول للمستخدمين بحثاً عن استدعاءات الدوال 'atomchat_update_auth_ajax' و 'atomchat_update_layout_ajax' من حسابات برتبة مشترك
3. تدوير جميع مفاتيح API والرموز المميزة للمصادقة والبيانات المعتمدة المخزنة في إعدادات مكون AtomChat فوراً
4. تقييد أدوار المستخدمين: إزالة وصول المشترك من تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم AtomChat حتى يتم إصلاحها
الضوابط التعويضية (حتى توفر التصحيح):
5. تعطيل دوال AJAX الضعيفة عبر تعديل الكود: إضافة فحوصات الصلاحيات التي تتطلب 'manage_options' لدوال atomchat_update_auth_ajax و atomchat_update_layout_ajax
6. تطبيق قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحظر طلبات POST إلى wp-admin/admin-ajax.php مع action=atomchat_update_auth_ajax أو atomchat_update_layout_ajax من حسابات غير إدارية
7. تطبيق قواعد مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) لمراقبة وحظر استدعاءات AJAX المحددة هذه
8. تطبيق مراقبة نشاط قاعدة البيانات لجدول wp_options المتعلقة بإعدادات atomchat
قواعد الكشف:
9. مراقبة سجلات WordPress بحثاً عن: طلبات POST إلى admin-ajax.php مع إجراءات atomchat_update_auth_ajax أو atomchat_update_layout_ajax من user_id بأدوار != administrator
10. تنبيه عند تغييرات جدول wp_options حيث option_name يحتوي على 'atomchat' و modified_by له دور مشترك
11. تتبع تغييرات مفاتيح API/بيانات المصادقة في إعدادات المكون مع عنوان IP المصدر وحساب المستخدم
التصحيح:
12. مراقبة مستودع مكون AtomChat لإصدار 1.1.8+ أو أحدث
13. اختبار التصحيح في بيئة التطوير قبل نشره في الإنتاج
14. تطبيق التصحيح فوراً عند توفره
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.9.2.1 - User access management and role-based access control
ECC 2024 A.9.4.3 - Password management and credential protection
ECC 2024 A.12.4.1 - Event logging and monitoring
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - Access Control Policies
Information Security - Data Protection and Confidentiality
Operational Resilience - Incident Detection and Response
Technology & Infrastructure - Application Security
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Access control
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.16 - Authentication
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.22 - Monitoring activities
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.28 - Secure development
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 3.2.1 - Strong cryptography for authentication
PCI DSS 6.5.10 - Broken authentication
PCI DSS 7.1 - Limit access to system components
PCI DSS 10.2 - Implement automated audit trails
🔗 References & Sources 3
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/atomchat/tags/1.1.7/includes/atomchat_reques...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/atomchat/trunk/includes/atomchat_requesthand...
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/5c2980c3-0038-42ab-8751-72c40...
security@wordfence.com