CVE-2024-12003 in WP System Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/06/2024
The WP System plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.1. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the generate_wp_system_page_content() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to 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 • 02/21/2025
The WP System plugin for WordPress represents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2024-12003, affecting all versions up to and including 1.1.1. This vulnerability stems from a critical flaw in the plugin's implementation of cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms. The issue manifests specifically within the generate_wp_system_page_content() function where proper nonce validation is either completely absent or inadequately implemented, creating a dangerous attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its impact on unauthenticated attackers who can exploit this weakness without requiring prior access credentials to the target system.
The technical flaw within the WP System plugin operates through a fundamental breakdown in the application's request validation process. Nonce validation serves as a critical security control that ensures requests originate from legitimate sources and that users have explicitly authorized actions through proper authentication flows. When this validation mechanism fails or is entirely absent, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to come from legitimate administrative sources. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category of Cross-Site Request Forgery, which is a well-documented attack pattern where an attacker tricks a victim into performing actions they did not intend to execute. The absence of proper nonce validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the WordPress administrative interface through carefully crafted forged requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection capabilities and represents a serious threat to WordPress site integrity and security. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can inject malicious web scripts that execute within the context of an authenticated administrator's session. This creates a potential pathway for complete system compromise, allowing attackers to perform administrative actions such as modifying content, installing malware, changing user permissions, or even exfiltrating sensitive data. The attack requires social engineering elements where administrators must be tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised web pages, but once successful, the consequences can be devastating. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems globally, making millions of sites potentially vulnerable to this specific attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-12003 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest version of the WP System plugin where the nonce validation has been properly implemented and tested. Organizations should also implement additional security layers including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns, enhanced monitoring of administrative actions, and regular security audits of installed plugins. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1566.002 for social engineering through malicious links and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.