CVE-2024-0447 in Free Chat Bot Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The ArtiBot Free Chat Bot for WordPress WebSites plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the artibot_update function in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.6. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to update plugin settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0447 affects the ArtiBot Free Chat Bot for WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.1.6. This represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper capability validation within the artibot_update function, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate plugin configurations without appropriate authorization. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users who possess subscriber-level privileges or higher, meaning that even relatively low-privilege accounts can potentially compromise the plugin's functionality and configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the artibot_update function which fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to modify plugin settings. This missing capability check creates a direct path for privilege escalation within the plugin's administrative interface. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged actions. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where the plugin does not properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications because it allows attackers to leverage existing authenticated sessions to perform unauthorized modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate chat bot behavior, alter response templates, modify integration settings, or disable security features within the plugin. An attacker with subscriber-level access could use this vulnerability to redirect chat bot responses to malicious content, modify API integrations, or even disable the chat functionality entirely, thereby affecting user experience and potentially creating opportunities for further attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts - Cloud Accounts, as it allows attackers to leverage existing user accounts to perform unauthorized modifications. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the chat bot plugin is used for customer service, lead generation, or other business-critical functions, as unauthorized modifications could directly affect business operations and customer interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0447 should begin with immediate plugin updates to the latest available version where the capability check has been implemented. System administrators should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual plugin modification activities and establish strict access controls for user accounts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and capability checks in web applications, particularly within plugin architectures where third-party code interacts with core system functions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all installed plugins to identify similar authorization flaws, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation oversights can create significant security risks. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and regularly auditing user permissions can help minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in environments where multiple users have varying levels of access to the WordPress administration interface.