CVE-2024-3476 in Side Menu Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Side Menu Lite WordPress plugin before 4.2.1 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 Side Menu Lite WordPress plugin version 4.2.0 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms in its bulk administrative actions. This flaw represents a significant weakness in the plugin's security architecture, as it fails to validate the authenticity of administrative requests originating from authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's ability to distinguish between legitimate administrative operations initiated by authorized users and malicious requests crafted by attackers who have compromised user sessions. The lack of CSRF protection creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from a legitimate admin session, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of the plugin's configuration and user interface elements. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin, as it allows for unauthorized manipulation of menu button configurations and other administrative functions. The flaw is particularly concerning because it targets authenticated administrators who are logged into their WordPress sites, meaning that successful exploitation could result in persistent modifications to site navigation structures that could be used for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's administrative interface where bulk actions are processed without proper CSRF token validation. When administrators perform bulk operations such as deleting menu buttons, the plugin fails to verify that these requests originate from the legitimate admin session or are properly authenticated through CSRF protection mechanisms. This absence of validation creates an attack surface where an attacker can leverage social engineering techniques or compromised user sessions to execute unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages or embedding malicious scripts that automatically submit requests to the plugin's administrative endpoints, effectively hijacking the authenticated admin session to perform unauthorized operations. The attack vector typically involves tricking the authenticated admin user into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a malicious link that contains embedded requests to the vulnerable plugin's bulk action endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized deletions of menu buttons, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of WordPress installations using the affected plugin. Administrators who are logged into their sites become vulnerable to session hijacking attacks where malicious actors can perform arbitrary administrative actions without proper authorization. The consequences can include complete removal of navigation elements, modification of menu structures to redirect users to malicious sites, or even the complete compromise of the plugin's configuration. This vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the website's user interface, potentially causing confusion for end-users and providing attackers with opportunities to establish persistent access through altered navigation structures. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the core administrative functions of the plugin, which are essential for maintaining proper site navigation and user experience. Organizations using this plugin without proper patching are exposed to potential data integrity breaches and could face reputational damage if attackers use the compromised navigation elements to redirect users to phishing or malicious sites. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the overall WordPress ecosystem as it demonstrates how third-party plugins can introduce critical security flaws that affect the broader security landscape.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to version 4.2.1 or later, which addresses the missing CSRF protection mechanisms in the plugin's bulk actions. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other third-party components. The implementation of additional security measures such as Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and enhanced session management practices can provide additional layers of protection against CSRF attacks. Organizations should also implement regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning procedures to identify and remediate similar issues in their WordPress installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of administrative interfaces in web applications, particularly those handling user interface configuration data. Security teams should establish protocols for reviewing plugin security updates and ensure that all administrative functions include proper authentication and authorization checks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of CSRF protection in web applications and the potential consequences when such protections are absent from administrative interfaces. The incident underscores the necessity for developers to follow established security best practices and for organizations to maintain robust security hygiene practices when deploying and maintaining WordPress plugins.