CVE-2024-1368 in Page Duplicator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
The Page Duplicator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the duplicate_dat_page() function in all versions up to, and including, 0.1.1. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to duplicate arbitrary posts and pages.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1368 affects the Page Duplicator plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of content management operations. This issue stems from a fundamental lack of access control verification within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the duplicate_dat_page() function that handles the duplication of WordPress posts and pages. The absence of proper capability checks means that any user, regardless of authentication status, can exploit this function to create copies of existing content, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries that should restrict such operations to authorized administrators or editors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of insufficient authorization checks as categorized by CWE-863, which specifically addresses the scenario where a system fails to properly verify that an actor has sufficient privileges to perform a given operation. This weakness manifests as a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where the plugin fails to enforce proper access controls that would normally be expected in a content management system. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the plugin up to and including version 0.1.1, indicating a persistent flaw that has not been adequately addressed in the plugin's development lifecycle.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for WordPress installations that utilize the affected plugin. Unauthenticated attackers can leverage this flaw to duplicate any post or page within the WordPress site, potentially leading to content pollution, unauthorized modifications, and the creation of misleading information. The implications extend beyond simple duplication, as attackers could create multiple copies of sensitive content, manipulate search engine optimization rankings through duplicate content creation, or even establish malicious content that appears legitimate within the site's structure. This vulnerability effectively allows for arbitrary content manipulation without the need for valid user credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely deployed.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing, as attackers can exploit this weakness to create unauthorized content that may be used for social engineering campaigns or to manipulate site content for malicious purposes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no specialized tools or advanced knowledge, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors of varying skill levels. Organizations using this plugin face a heightened risk of content compromise, which could lead to reputation damage, loss of user trust, and potential regulatory compliance issues depending on the nature of the duplicated content. The lack of authentication requirements for the duplication function creates an attack surface that directly violates standard security practices for web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability checks. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations and ensure that proper access controls are enforced. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual content duplication activities can provide early warning signs of exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes disabling the plugin entirely until a patched version is available, implementing proper user role management to limit access to content management functions, and establishing regular security audits to identify similar authorization flaws in other installed plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.