CVE-2024-3472 in Modal Window Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Modal Window WordPress plugin before 5.3.10 does not have CSRF check in place when bulk deleting modals, which could allow attackers to make a logged in admin delete them via a CSRF attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The Modal Window WordPress plugin version 5.3.10 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms during bulk deletion operations. This flaw resides within the plugin's administrative interface where users can manage modal windows through a bulk action system. The vulnerability represents a significant concern as it allows authenticated attackers to exploit the administrative session and perform unauthorized deletion operations on modal components without proper authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to validate the origin and authenticity of requests made during bulk deletion processes. When administrators access the modal management interface, the plugin accepts deletion commands without verifying that they originate from legitimate administrative sessions. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers who can craft malicious web pages or exploit existing vulnerabilities in the browser to submit deletion requests on behalf of logged-in administrators. The attack requires minimal privileges since the target must already be authenticated within the WordPress administration panel, but the lack of CSRF protection removes the necessary validation steps that should prevent unauthorized operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the integrity and availability of modal content within WordPress sites. Attackers can potentially remove critical modal windows that might contain important site information, user registration forms, or other essential interface components. The damage extends beyond simple content removal as it can disrupt user experience and potentially impact site functionality if the deleted modals were integral to site operations. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WordPress and its plugin ecosystem.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the plugin's security design where proper validation of request sources and user authorization is absent. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1548.003, which covers abuse of cloud infrastructure and service management interfaces. The attack vector represents a privilege escalation technique where an attacker leverages existing administrative access to perform unauthorized actions that should require explicit user confirmation or additional authentication.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 5.3.10 or later, which contain the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring of administrative actions, and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. Network-level protections such as implementing proper session management, enforcing strict referer header validation, and ensuring that all administrative actions require explicit user confirmation through secondary authentication mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions that limit the scope of administrative privileges and monitor for unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.