CVE-2024-2969 in WP-Eggdrop Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
The WP-Eggdrop plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 0.1. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the wpegg_updateOptions() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update the plugin's settings via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2025
The WP-Eggdrop plugin for WordPress represents a specific vulnerability class that affects web applications through cross-site request forgery mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's configuration handling functionality, specifically targeting the wpegg_updateOptions() function which processes administrative settings updates. The flaw manifests in the absence of proper nonce validation, a critical security control that ensures requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions. This vulnerability impacts all versions of the plugin up to and including version 0.1, indicating a fundamental design oversight that has persisted through the plugin's development lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to validate cryptographic nonces during administrative option updates. Nonces serve as one-time tokens that verify the authenticity of requests and prevent unauthorized modifications to system configurations. Without proper nonce validation, an attacker can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring authentication, meaning that unauthenticated attackers can manipulate the plugin's settings through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails or malicious website links. When an administrator clicks on a crafted link, the forged request executes with the administrator's privileges, potentially allowing the attacker to modify critical plugin configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to compromise the entire WordPress installation. By manipulating plugin settings, an attacker could potentially disable security features, modify plugin behavior, or establish persistent access vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, as it relies on social engineering rather than complex technical attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators may not be adequately trained in recognizing malicious links. The lack of authentication requirements means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability at scale without needing to establish initial access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate technical flaw and the broader security posture of the affected WordPress installation. The primary solution involves implementing proper nonce validation within the wpegg_updateOptions() function, ensuring that all administrative requests contain valid, time-limited tokens that verify the request's legitimacy. Plugin developers should also implement additional security controls such as rate limiting for administrative operations and enhanced logging of configuration changes. Administrators should conduct immediate security audits of their WordPress installations to identify and remove vulnerable plugins, while also implementing user education programs to recognize phishing attempts and malicious links. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect anomalous administrative activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.