CVE-2024-32514 in WP Poll Maker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Poll Maker & Voting Plugin Team (InfoTheme) WP Poll Maker.This issue affects WP Poll Maker: from n/a through 3.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-32514 represents a critical security flaw in the WP Poll Maker plugin developed by InfoTheme, specifically impacting versions from an unspecified beginning through version 3.4. This issue falls under the category of unrestricted file upload vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous in web applications as they allow attackers to upload malicious files that can be executed on the target system. The vulnerability specifically affects the Poll Maker & Voting Plugin component, which is designed to handle user-generated content for creating polls and voting systems within WordPress environments. The unrestricted nature of this upload capability means that users with sufficient privileges or those who can exploit the vulnerability can bypass normal file validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's file upload functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness to upload files with dangerous file extensions that could execute arbitrary code on the web server. This typically occurs when the application fails to properly verify file types, check file contents, or enforce proper access controls during the upload process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for the upload of files with dangerous types such as php, aspx, or other executable formats that can be directly executed by the web server. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-434 which describes "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type" and represents a well-documented security weakness in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that WordPress plugins often run with elevated privileges and can access sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across multiple attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain remote code execution capabilities on the affected WordPress installation, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects the core plugin functionality that handles user interactions and content management. This weakness can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware within the compromised environment. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it allows for command execution through uploaded malicious files. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where the plugin is widely used, as the vulnerability could affect numerous WordPress installations across different organizations and industries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-32514 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most critical immediate action is to upgrade to a patched version of the WP Poll Maker plugin, as this represents the definitive solution to the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures such as restricting file upload permissions, implementing strict file type validation, and configuring proper content security policies. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized file upload activities and suspicious file patterns. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls ensures that only authorized users can upload files, while regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or components of the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for proper input validation in all web application components.