CVE-2024-2343 in Avada Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Avada | Website Builder For WordPress & WooCommerce theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 7.11.6 via the form_to_url_action function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to make web requests to arbitrary locations originating from the web application and can be used to query and modify information from internal services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2343 affects the Avada WordPress theme, specifically targeting versions up to and including 7.11.6. This security flaw resides within the form_to_url_action function, which creates a critical pathway for unauthorized server-side requests. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to WordPress installations that utilize this theme, as it allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to exploit the system's networking capabilities. The implications extend beyond simple data retrieval, as the flaw enables attackers to interact with internal services that should normally be isolated from external access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the form_to_url_action function. When legitimate users submit forms through the theme's interface, the function processes the provided URL parameters without adequate verification of their destination. This oversight creates a path where attacker-controlled input can be directly translated into server requests, effectively bypassing normal network security boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to probe internal network infrastructure, access sensitive services, or even facilitate further attacks. The flaw aligns with CWE-918, which describes Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate and sanitize user-provided URLs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for WordPress administrators and security teams managing sites with the affected Avada theme. Attackers with contributor-level access can utilize this flaw to perform reconnaissance on internal systems, potentially discovering sensitive services running on internal ports that are normally firewalled from external access. The ability to make arbitrary server requests means that attackers can probe internal APIs, access databases, or even attempt to exploit other vulnerabilities within the internal network. This threat vector particularly concerns organizations that rely on WordPress for their web presence, as it provides a legitimate access path that bypasses traditional network security controls. The vulnerability essentially transforms a contributor-level user account into a potential internal network reconnaissance tool, which can be leveraged for privilege escalation or data exfiltration.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with updating to the latest version of the Avada theme where the flaw has been patched. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls that limit the ability of low-privilege users to submit forms that could be exploited. The remediation process should include monitoring for unusual network requests originating from the affected WordPress installations, as this could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their WordPress environments to identify other potential entry points that might be similarly vulnerable to server-side request forgery attacks. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, as this vulnerability represents a specific implementation weakness that enables such protocol-based attacks. Regular security audits and patch management procedures should be enhanced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other WordPress themes or plugins that may share similar architectural patterns.