CVE-2024-24802 in JTRT Responsive Tables Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2024
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in John Tendik JTRT Responsive Tables.This issue affects JTRT Responsive Tables: from n/a through 4.1.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2024
The Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24802 resides within the John Tendik JTRT Responsive Tables plugin, a widely used WordPress extension for creating responsive table layouts. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users who visit malicious websites or are tricked into clicking harmful links. The affected version range spans from an unspecified starting point through version 4.1.9, indicating that all installations within this scope are potentially compromised. The vulnerability specifically impacts WordPress environments where the plugin is installed and actively used, creating a significant risk for website administrators and their users who may unknowingly trigger malicious requests.
The technical implementation of this CSRF flaw stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the plugin's request handling processes. When users access the WordPress admin interface while logged in, their authentication credentials are automatically included in requests to the plugin's backend endpoints. An attacker can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages or email attachments that contain hidden form submissions or javascript requests to the vulnerable plugin's administrative functions. Without proper validation of the request origin or implementation of anti-CSRF tokens, the plugin processes these malicious requests as legitimate user actions. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation and lack of proper request origin verification can lead to unauthorized administrative operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24802 extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to perform critical administrative functions such as modifying table configurations, deleting content, or even installing malicious code within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain persistent access to the affected website's administrative capabilities, enabling them to alter plugin settings, modify user permissions, or create backdoor access points. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where multiple administrators have access to the same WordPress installation, as the compromised user's privileges are automatically inherited by the malicious requests. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised advertising networks, or by embedding malicious content within legitimate websites that users visit. The exploitation requires minimal technical knowledge from the attacker, making it a particularly dangerous flaw that can be leveraged for widespread compromise across multiple WordPress installations.
Organizations and website administrators should immediately upgrade to the latest version of the JTRT Responsive Tables plugin to address this vulnerability, as no patches or workarounds are available for the affected versions. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive plugin management practices, including regular security updates, monitoring for unauthorized changes to WordPress installations, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF patterns, establishing strict access controls for WordPress administrative functions, and educating users about the dangers of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as attackers typically leverage social engineering techniques combined with protocol exploitation to achieve their objectives. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous request patterns characteristic of CSRF attacks and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle plugin-based vulnerabilities in WordPress environments.