CVE-2024-11813 in Pulsating Chat Button Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
The Pulsating Chat Button plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.6. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the amin_chat_button_settings_page() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update settings and inject malicious web scripts via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11813 affects the Pulsating Chat Button plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for adding interactive chat functionality to websites. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of WordPress administrative operations. The vulnerability exists in all versions of the plugin up to and including version 1.3.6, making it a persistent threat across multiple releases and affecting numerous websites that rely on this plugin for their chat interface functionality.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate nonce validation within the admin_chat_button_settings_page() function of the plugin. Nonce validation serves as a cryptographic token that ensures requests originate from legitimate administrative sources and prevents unauthorized modifications to plugin settings. When this validation mechanism fails or is completely absent, it creates an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate plugin configurations without proper authentication. This specific implementation flaw falls under the category of insufficient verification of data integrity as defined by CWE-862, which addresses weaknesses in authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it provides attackers with the capability to inject malicious web scripts into the affected WordPress installations. An attacker can craft forged requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, would modify plugin settings and potentially introduce persistent malicious code. This creates a dangerous scenario where a simple click on a malicious link could result in complete compromise of the chat functionality and potentially broader system vulnerabilities. The attack requires social engineering to trick administrators into performing actions, but once successful, it can lead to data exfiltration, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence through web application exploitation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish a foothold within WordPress environments, potentially using the chat button functionality as a vector for more extensive attacks. The lack of proper input validation and insufficient session management creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the plugin's behavior in ways that could affect site integrity and user privacy. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigation strategies including plugin updates, network monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, and user education to avoid falling victim to social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability.