CVE-2024-1477 in Easy Maintenance Mode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2024
The Easy Maintenance Mode plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.2 via the REST API. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers to obtain post and page content via REST API thus bypassign the protection provided by the plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2026
The Easy Maintenance Mode plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2024-1477, affecting all versions through 1.4.2. This vulnerability manifests as sensitive information exposure through the WordPress REST API, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this maintenance mode plugin. The flaw specifically targets the authentication mechanisms that should normally protect post and page content from unauthorized access, allowing authenticated attackers to bypass these protections and access restricted content through API endpoints.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control validation within the plugin's REST API endpoints. When the maintenance mode plugin is active, it typically restricts access to website content to prevent public exposure during maintenance periods. However, the flaw allows authenticated users to exploit the REST API to retrieve post and page content that should remain protected. This occurs because the plugin fails to properly validate user permissions when processing REST API requests, enabling attackers with valid authentication credentials to access content that should be restricted. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the WordPress REST API framework which provides programmatic access to WordPress content and functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1477 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of WordPress sites relying on the Easy Maintenance Mode plugin. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive business information, unpublished content, draft posts, and potentially confidential data that was intended to remain hidden during maintenance periods. This exposure can lead to competitive intelligence theft, regulatory compliance violations, and damage to brand reputation. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation using the affected plugin version, regardless of the underlying WordPress core version or other security measures in place. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who have obtained valid user credentials can exploit this flaw without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Easy Maintenance Mode plugin where available, as vendors typically release patches to address such vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring for REST API usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient access control validation, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0006 Credential Access and TA0007 Discovery. Network segmentation and API rate limiting can provide additional defensive measures, though the most effective solution remains patching the vulnerable plugin to ensure proper authentication and authorization controls are enforced.