CVE-2024-2962 in Networker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
The Networker - Tech News WordPress Theme with Dark Mode theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the admin_reload_nav_menu() function in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.9. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify the location of display menus.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2962 affects the Networker - Tech News WordPress Theme with Dark Mode, a popular theme designed for technology news websites. This theme, like many WordPress themes, provides administrative functionality through PHP functions that handle user interface elements and content management features. The specific flaw resides within the admin_reload_nav_menu() function, which is responsible for reloading navigation menus within the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability represents a critical security oversight that undermines the integrity of the theme's administrative capabilities.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper capability checks within the admin_reload_nav_menu() function. In WordPress security architecture, capability checks ensure that only users with appropriate permissions can access and modify administrative functions. This missing validation creates an authentication bypass vulnerability where any unauthenticated user can exploit the function to manipulate menu locations. The vulnerability exists across all versions up to and including 1.1.9, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been addressed through version updates. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-863, which describes "Incorrect Authorization," specifically when a system fails to properly verify user permissions before allowing access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress site administrators who rely on the Networker theme for their technology news websites. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this weakness to modify menu locations, potentially redirecting visitors to malicious sites or disrupting the website's navigation structure. This modification capability allows attackers to create confusion among users, potentially leading to phishing attempts or other social engineering attacks. The vulnerability also undermines the theme's integrity and can be leveraged as part of broader attack strategies within the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1078 technique for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing. The ability to modify menu locations can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including credential theft or data exfiltration.
Organizations using this vulnerable theme should immediately implement multiple mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of the theme where the capability check has been implemented. However, if immediate updates are not feasible, administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as restricting access to administrative functions through web application firewalls, implementing strong authentication controls, and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to site navigation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and capability checks in WordPress theme development, aligning with WordPress security guidelines that emphasize the need for all administrative functions to verify user permissions before execution. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and regularly auditing administrative access logs can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts of this type of vulnerability.