CVE-2024-13364 in Raptive Ads Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2025
The Raptive Ads plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access due to a missing capability check on the site_ads_files_reset() and cls_file_reset() functions in all versions up to, and including, 3.6.3. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to reset the ad and cls files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13364 affects the Raptive Ads plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected websites. This issue stems from a fundamental missing capability check within two core functions: site_ads_files_reset() and cls_file_reset(). The absence of proper authentication verification means that any unauthenticated user can exploit these functions to reset ad and cls files, effectively compromising the plugin's configuration and potentially disrupting advertising operations. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the plugin up to and including version 3.6.3, indicating a widespread risk affecting numerous WordPress installations that rely on this advertising solution.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability constitutes a classic access control bypass mechanism where the plugin fails to validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. The missing capability check creates a path for privilege escalation, allowing attackers to perform administrative actions without proper authentication. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The functions site_ads_files_reset() and cls_file_reset() are designed to handle critical file operations within the plugin's advertising framework, yet they operate without verifying whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the plugin's security architecture, where the principle of least privilege is violated and unauthorized access is permitted to sensitive administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to significant disruption of advertising services and potential data integrity issues. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can reset advertising files, which may result in the removal of configured ad campaigns, disruption of revenue generation, or even the injection of malicious content through compromised file resets. The implications are particularly severe for websites that rely heavily on advertising revenue, as this vulnerability could be exploited to cause financial loss or service interruption. Additionally, the ability to manipulate ad files may enable attackers to redirect traffic or inject malicious advertisements, creating further security risks for end users. This vulnerability also opens potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks, as the compromised plugin could serve as a foothold for broader system compromise, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting through social engineering.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-13364 require immediate action to address the core authorization flaw. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of the Raptive Ads plugin where proper capability checks have been implemented for the affected functions. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting file permissions, monitoring for unusual file modification patterns, and ensuring proper network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. The WordPress security community should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of this specific vulnerability across multiple installations. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of capability checks and authorization mechanisms to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing unauthorized file modifications, as this vulnerability creates a clear attack vector for malicious actors seeking to disrupt advertising operations or compromise website integrity.