CVE-2024-3475 in Sticky Buttons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Sticky Buttons WordPress plugin before 3.2.4 does not have CSRF checks in some bulk actions, which could allow attackers to make logged in admins perform unwanted actions, such as deleting buttons via CSRF attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2025
The Sticky Buttons WordPress plugin version 3.2.3 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability classified as a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) flaw that compromises administrative integrity. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's bulk action handling mechanism where proper CSRF token validation is absent, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to execute unauthorized administrative operations. The specific weakness lies in the plugin's failure to implement mandatory anti-CSRF protections during critical administrative functions, particularly those involving bulk operations that modify plugin data. According to CWE-352, this represents a classic CSRF vulnerability where an attacker can trick a logged-in administrator into performing actions without their knowledge or consent, directly violating the principle of user authorization and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's administrative interface failing to validate CSRF tokens for bulk actions, which are typically used to ensure that requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions. When administrators access the plugin's interface and perform bulk operations such as deleting buttons, the system should verify that these actions come from authorized sources through proper token validation mechanisms. Without this protection, malicious actors can craft specially crafted requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, result in unintended consequences including data deletion, modification of plugin configurations, or other unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability specifically affects the bulk deletion functionality within the plugin's administrative dashboard where CSRF protections are entirely missing from the request validation process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to escalate privileges and compromise the integrity of WordPress installations using the Sticky Buttons plugin. An attacker could potentially delete critical buttons, disrupt user experience, or even use the compromised administrative session to perform further malicious activities within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges beyond having access to an authenticated administrator session, making it a serious concern for WordPress sites that rely on this plugin for user interface customization. According to ATT&CK framework category T1548.003, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation through the manipulation of administrative functions, while also aligning with T1213.002 for data manipulation via web application vulnerabilities. The risk is compounded by the fact that administrators may unknowingly execute malicious requests when visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious links that exploit this vulnerability.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediately upgrading to Sticky Buttons plugin version 3.2.4 or later, which implements proper CSRF token validation for all bulk administrative actions. Administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities, implementing web application firewalls, and ensuring that only trusted individuals have administrative access to WordPress installations. The fix should include the implementation of anti-CSRF tokens that are generated per session and validated for each administrative request, ensuring that all bulk operations require proper authentication verification. Organizations should also conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities and ensure that all plugins maintain proper security standards. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular security updates can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the plugin's security architecture that could be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise.