CVE-2024-10124 in Vayu Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The Vayu Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks for WordPress & WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary plugin installation and activation due to a missing capability check on the tp_install() function in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.1. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to install and activate arbitrary plugins which can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution if another vulnerable plugin is installed and activated. This vulnerability was partially patched in version 1.1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10124 affects the Vayu Blocks plugin for WordPress and WooCommerce, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected WordPress installations. This issue stems from a fundamental missing capability check within the tp_install() function, which operates without proper authentication or authorization verification. The vulnerability exists across all versions up to and including 1.1.1, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WordPress and its ecosystem of plugins. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the plugin's installation mechanism, effectively bypassing the normal security controls that should prevent arbitrary plugin manipulation. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where an attacker can elevate their access level from anonymous to that of a user with plugin installation capabilities, which is a significant breach of WordPress security principles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the WordPress plugin architecture. The tp_install() function lacks proper capability checks that should verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to perform plugin installation operations. This absence of authorization verification creates an exploitable entry point that directly violates the principle of least privilege, where operations should only be permitted if the user has explicitly been granted the necessary permissions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized plugin installation, as it creates a potential pathway for remote code execution when combined with other vulnerable components within the WordPress environment. The partial patch applied in version 1.1.1 suggests that the developers recognized the severity but may not have fully addressed all aspects of the authorization flaw, leaving potential edge cases unmitigated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for WordPress sites that rely on the Vayu Blocks plugin. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malicious plugins that may contain backdoors, malware, or other payloads designed to establish persistent access to the compromised system. The remote code execution capability that emerges when combined with other vulnerable plugins creates a particularly dangerous attack vector that can lead to full system compromise. This vulnerability affects WordPress sites across various industries and use cases, from small business websites to enterprise platforms, as the plugin's functionality makes it attractive to attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require any valid credentials to initiate the attack, significantly increasing the attack surface and reducing the barriers to successful exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest available version of the Vayu Blocks plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed, though the partial patch suggests that additional verification may be necessary. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to plugin installation endpoints, particularly for unauthenticated requests. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control, specifically the lack of authorization checks in the tp_install() function. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of CWE-862 which addresses missing authorization, and CWE-502 which relates to deserialization of untrusted data that could occur during plugin installation processes. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized plugin installations and activation events, as these activities represent clear indicators of compromise that can be monitored through WordPress logs and system audit trails.