CVE-2024-1909 in Categorify Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2024
The Categorify plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.7.4. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the categorifyAjaxRenameCategory function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to rename categories via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
The CVE-2024-1909 vulnerability affects the Categorify plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.0.7.4. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress site management operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the plugin's ajax handling functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate site content without proper authorization. The affected plugin operates within the WordPress ecosystem where it provides category management capabilities, making it a potential vector for unauthorized administrative actions that could significantly impact site operations and data integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the categorifyAjaxRenameCategory function which fails to implement proper nonce validation. A nonce in web applications serves as a unique token that verifies the authenticity of requests and prevents unauthorized operations from being executed. In this case, the absence of proper nonce checking creates a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that allows attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized category renaming operations that can disrupt site organization and potentially create confusion for users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple category manipulation, as it provides attackers with a method to compromise the administrative integrity of WordPress sites. An attacker needs only to trick a site administrator into clicking on a malicious link or visiting a compromised page to execute the forged request. This social engineering component makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it leverages human factors alongside technical weaknesses. The consequences include unauthorized modifications to site structure, potential disruption of content organization, and possible creation of misleading category hierarchies that could impact user experience and search engine optimization. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which addresses phishing and social engineering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1909 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issue. Site administrators must ensure they are running the latest version of the Categorify plugin where proper nonce validation has been implemented. Additionally, implementing proper security monitoring and logging mechanisms can help detect unauthorized category modifications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious ajax requests and malformed nonce parameters. Regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire plugin ecosystem. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures including two-factor authentication and role-based access controls to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and nonce implementation in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions within content management systems.