CVE-2024-35682 in Otter Blocks PRO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2024
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Themeisle Otter Blocks PRO.This issue affects Otter Blocks PRO: from n/a through 2.6.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35682 represents a critical exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors within the Themeisle Otter Blocks PRO plugin ecosystem. This weakness manifests as an information disclosure flaw that allows malicious entities to access data that should remain protected within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the Otter Blocks PRO plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.6.11, creating a substantial attack surface that persists across multiple iterations of the software. The issue stems from inadequate access controls and insufficient data sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's architecture, potentially exposing user credentials, configuration details, or other sensitive metadata to unauthorized parties.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement. When the Otter Blocks PRO plugin processes requests or handles data, it fails to properly validate access permissions or sanitize output streams, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the information disclosure channel. This flaw typically occurs when the plugin's backend components do not adequately verify user authorization levels or when debug information, internal paths, or configuration parameters are inadvertently exposed through API endpoints or administrative interfaces. The vulnerability may also involve improper error handling that reveals system internals or database structures to unauthorized users.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-35682 extends beyond simple data leakage, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, system reconnaissance, or privilege escalation attempts. Attackers could leverage this information disclosure to gather intelligence about the WordPress installation, identify other vulnerable components, or craft targeted attacks against the underlying infrastructure. The exposure of sensitive information creates opportunities for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, access restricted administrative functions, or exploit additional vulnerabilities within the plugin ecosystem. This vulnerability particularly affects websites that rely heavily on Otter Blocks PRO for content creation and website building, as the compromised data could include user session information, plugin configuration details, or other administrative metadata.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the application of available patches or updates to versions beyond 2.6.11 where the issue has been resolved. Organizations maintaining affected installations should implement network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and review access logs for signs of unauthorized data access. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive access control reviews, implementation of proper input validation mechanisms, and regular security assessments of plugin components. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly concerning secure coding practices and proper information classification. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable plugin components. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices within WordPress environments and the potential consequences of information disclosure vulnerabilities in content management systems.