CVE-2024-10952 in Authors List Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
The The Authors List plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution via update_authors_list_ajax AJAX action in all versions up to, and including, 2.0.4. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The CVE-2024-10952 vulnerability affects the Authors List plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes through a specific AJAX endpoint. This vulnerability exists within all versions up to and including 2.0.4, making it a widespread concern for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the update_authors_list_ajax AJAX action, which processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization or verification before executing the do_shortcode function.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the AJAX endpoint by injecting malicious shortcode content into the request parameters. When the plugin processes these requests, it directly passes the unvalidated input to the do_shortcode function, which then executes any valid WordPress shortcode present in the malicious payload. This creates a server-side code execution vector that bypasses normal authentication requirements, as the vulnerability operates through an AJAX action that does not require user authentication. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-provided data before processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary shortcode functionality to perform various malicious activities. These include injecting malicious JavaScript code, executing database queries, accessing sensitive information, or even establishing persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that rely on the Authors List plugin for managing author information, as the malicious shortcode execution can occur without any user interaction or authentication. This makes it especially dangerous for high-traffic sites or those with sensitive data, as the attack surface remains continuously exposed until patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-10952 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability, as the maintainers have likely released a patched version. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious AJAX requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in shortcode execution or AJAX calls that could indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and CWE-89 (SQL Injection) categories, while the attack pattern follows ATT&CK techniques related to command and control through web application vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and input validation reviews should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other WordPress plugins and custom code implementations.