CVE-2024-24704 in Load More Anything Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in AddonMaster Load More Anything.This issue affects Load More Anything: from n/a through 3.3.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The CVE-2024-24704 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the AddonMaster Load More Anything WordPress plugin, which impacts versions ranging from unspecified initial release through 3.3.3. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authorization checks, a common weakness that allows unauthorized users to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate user permissions before processing requests that modify or retrieve sensitive data. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass intended access controls and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions or data that should only be available to authenticated administrators. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and authorization logic within the plugin's core functionality, particularly in how it handles AJAX requests and administrative operations. This flaw directly contravenes the principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to resources necessary for their specific roles. The missing authorization check creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks, where unauthenticated or low-privileged users can potentially execute administrative commands or access restricted content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate plugin endpoints that should require administrator authentication. When users interact with the Load More Anything plugin functionality, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform the requested action. This authorization bypass occurs during the processing of AJAX requests that handle content loading and management operations. The flaw manifests when the plugin does not properly check user roles or session tokens before executing sensitive operations, enabling malicious actors to craft requests that appear to originate from authorized administrators. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct API calls, manipulated form submissions, or crafted HTTP requests that target the plugin's administrative interfaces. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it affects core plugin functionality that many websites rely on for dynamic content loading and user experience enhancement.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24704 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling full administrative compromise of affected WordPress installations. Once exploited, attackers can modify plugin settings, manipulate content, and potentially gain access to sensitive site data or user information. The vulnerability allows for persistent access to administrative functions, meaning that successful exploitation can result in long-term compromise of affected sites. This weakness creates opportunities for data exfiltration, site defacement, malware injection, and other malicious activities that can severely impact business operations and user trust. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress installations that rely on the AddonMaster Load More Anything plugin, as it undermines the security model that should protect against unauthorized modifications. Organizations using affected plugin versions face significant risk of compromise, particularly those with limited security monitoring or those that do not regularly update their WordPress installations. The impact is amplified in environments where the plugin is used extensively for dynamic content management or user interaction features.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24704 require immediate action to address the authorization gap within the AddonMaster Load More Anything plugin. The most critical step is to update to the latest available version of the plugin where the authorization flaw has been patched and properly validated. Organizations should implement immediate monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and suspicious activity related to the plugin's administrative endpoints. Security teams should review and strengthen access controls for WordPress installations, ensuring that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoints. Regular security audits and penetration testing should include verification of plugin authorization mechanisms to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and authorization checks at every layer of application development, aligning with security standards such as those outlined in the CWE-863 category for improper authorization. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege models and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar authorization weaknesses in their WordPress environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage authorization gaps to gain elevated system access, making it essential for security teams to understand and address these attack patterns proactively.