CVE-2024-1994 in Image Watermark Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2024
The Image Watermark plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the watermark_action_ajax() function in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.3. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to apply and remove watermarks from images.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2026
The Image Watermark plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2024-1994, which exposes systems to unauthorized data modification through insufficient access controls. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.7.3, making it a widespread concern for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin for image watermarking operations. The flaw resides within the watermark_action_ajax() function, which fails to properly validate user permissions before executing watermark modification operations. This missing capability check creates a pathway for authenticated attackers to manipulate image content without proper authorization, fundamentally undermining the integrity of the content management system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which describes improper authorization conditions that allow actors to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. The flaw specifically manifests as an insufficient authorization check within the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism, where the watermark_action_ajax() function does not verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to modify image watermarks. This oversight enables attackers with subscriber-level access or higher to exploit the functionality, as the plugin does not properly distinguish between different user roles and their respective permissions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the WordPress plugin architecture's permission handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1994 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows attackers to alter the visual presentation of images within the WordPress media library. This modification capability can be leveraged for various malicious purposes including the removal of copyright notices, the addition of inappropriate watermarks, or the systematic alteration of image content to mislead users. Attackers with subscriber privileges can systematically apply or remove watermarks from multiple images, potentially affecting the entire website's content integrity and potentially violating copyright agreements. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges beyond basic user access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any user with subscriber-level permissions who can access the WordPress admin interface.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that include proper capability checks and authorization validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control policies that limit user privileges to the minimum necessary for their role, following the principle of least privilege as recommended by cybersecurity frameworks. The fix should incorporate proper WordPress capability checks using functions such as current_user_can() to ensure that only users with appropriate permissions can execute watermark modification operations. Additionally, administrators should conduct regular security audits of installed plugins, particularly those handling media content, and consider implementing additional monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to image assets. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, where insufficient authorization checks can lead to unauthorized data modification and system compromise.