CVE-2024-1710 in Addon Library Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2024
The Addon Library plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the onAjaxAction function action in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.76. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to perform several unauthorized actions including uploading arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1710 affects the Addon Library plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected installations. This issue stems from a fundamental misconfiguration in the plugin's access control mechanisms, specifically within the onAjaxAction function where proper capability checks are absent. The vulnerability impacts all versions of the plugin up to and including version 1.3.76, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The flaw exists at the core of how the plugin handles administrative actions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit legitimate plugin functionality for unauthorized purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the onAjaxAction function which processes various administrative operations without verifying whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to perform these actions. This missing capability check creates a direct attack vector where authenticated users with minimal privileges can leverage the plugin's intended functionality to execute operations typically restricted to higher-level administrators. The flaw particularly enables unauthorized file uploads, which represents a severe escalation of privileges since it allows attackers to potentially deploy malicious code or gain remote execution capabilities within the affected WordPress environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with the ability to modify the WordPress installation's core functionality through arbitrary file uploads. An attacker with subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this vulnerability to upload malicious files that could compromise the entire WordPress environment, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond basic user accounts, making it accessible to anyone who can authenticate to the WordPress site. This creates a significant risk for sites where user registration is enabled or where users may have been compromised through social engineering or other attack vectors. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves legitimate credentials to access systems, combined with T1566.001 for initial access through the WordPress plugin ecosystem.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the Addon Library plugin where the capability checks have been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins that may exhibit similar authorization flaws. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload activities, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users have the capability to perform administrative functions within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those that handle user-generated content or administrative functions. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify similar issues in other third-party plugins and themes that may not have undergone thorough security review processes.