CVE-2024-1861 in Disable Json API, Login Lockdown, XMLRPC, Pingback, Stop User Enumeration Anti Hacker Scan Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
The Disable Json API, Login Lockdown, XMLRPC, Pingback, Stop User Enumeration Anti Hacker Scan plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the antihacker_truncate_scan_table() function in all versions up to, and including, 4.52. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to truncate the scan table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1861 affects the Disable Json API, Login Lockdown, XMLRPC, Pingback, Stop User Enumeration Anti Hacker Scan plugin for WordPress systems. This plugin serves as a security enhancement by implementing various anti-hacker measures including scan table functionality for monitoring suspicious activities. The flaw exists within the antihacker_truncate_scan_table() function which lacks proper capability verification before executing critical data modification operations. This represents a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity of the plugin's defensive mechanisms and exposes WordPress installations to potential data corruption or manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control validation within the plugin's codebase. Specifically the antihacker_truncate_scan_table() function performs data truncation operations without verifying whether the requesting user possesses appropriate administrative privileges. This missing capability check creates a path for authenticated attackers who have subscriber-level access or higher to execute unauthorized data modification actions. The vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation issue where users with minimal permissions can perform operations typically restricted to administrators, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries of the plugin's functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to WordPress site integrity and security posture. An authenticated attacker with subscriber-level privileges can truncate the scan table which contains critical security monitoring data. This action could result in the loss of valuable threat intelligence, making it difficult for system administrators to detect and respond to potential security incidents. The impact extends beyond simple data loss as the truncation operation may also disrupt the plugin's ability to function properly, potentially leaving the WordPress installation more vulnerable to subsequent attacks by removing historical security data that could be crucial for forensic analysis and threat detection.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control issues, specifically focusing on insufficient checks for the required privileges to perform sensitive operations. This weakness directly maps to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage insufficient access controls to gain elevated privileges or perform unauthorized operations. The affected plugin versions up to and including 4.52 all contain this flaw, indicating a widespread vulnerability that affects numerous WordPress installations. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of broader anti-hacker measures that require careful review of access controls and privilege validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1861 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability check in the antihacker_truncate_scan_table() function. System administrators must ensure that all WordPress installations running this plugin are updated to the latest secure version available from the plugin developer. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring and access control measures can help detect unauthorized attempts to truncate security tables. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of capability checks and privilege validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities even when they exist in the system.