CVE-2024-13801 in BWL Advanced FAQ Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2025
The BWL Advanced FAQ Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to a denial of service due to a missing capability check on the 'baf_set_notice_status' AJAX action in all versions up to, and including, 2.1.4. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update option values to '1' on the WordPress site. This can be leveraged to update an option that would create an error on the site and deny service to legitimate users or be used to set some values to true such as registration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The BWL Advanced FAQ Manager plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability through the absence of proper capability validation within its AJAX endpoint implementation. This flaw exists in all versions up to and including 2.1.4, creating an unauthorized data modification vector that directly impacts the integrity and availability of WordPress installations. The vulnerability specifically affects the 'baf_set_notice_status' AJAX action which lacks adequate permission verification, allowing attackers to manipulate core WordPress options without proper authorization. This represents a fundamental failure in the plugin's access control mechanisms and demonstrates poor security practices in the implementation of WordPress AJAX handlers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated sessions where attackers with Subscriber-level privileges or higher can manipulate the plugin's AJAX interface to modify WordPress options. The flaw enables attackers to set specific option values to '1' which can trigger cascading failures within the WordPress core or associated plugins. This capability allows for the manipulation of critical system parameters that govern site behavior, including registration settings, notice statuses, and other configuration options that control how the WordPress installation functions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-863, which specifically addresses "Incorrect Authorization" and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in access control implementations.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for WordPress site administrators as it provides a pathway for attackers to cause service disruption and potentially gain further control over the affected systems. When attackers exploit this flaw, they can set options that force the WordPress installation into error states, effectively creating denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing site content or functionality. Additionally, the ability to modify registration settings can lead to unauthorized user creation or access control bypass, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it creates opportunities for persistent access and further exploitation of the compromised WordPress installation.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term prevention of similar issues. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the BWL Advanced FAQ Manager plugin where the capability check has been properly implemented to prevent unauthorized option modifications. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual AJAX activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and capability checks in WordPress plugin development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and T1499.004 which addresses network disruption. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all installed plugins to identify similar authorization flaws and implement mandatory capability verification for all AJAX endpoints in WordPress installations.