CVE-2024-37242 in Newspack Newsletters Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Automattic Newspack Newsletters allows Cross Site Request Forgery.This issue affects Newspack Newsletters: from n/a through 2.13.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The CVE-2024-37242 vulnerability represents a critical Cross-Site Request Forgery flaw within the Automattic Newspack Newsletters plugin, a widely used WordPress email marketing solution. This vulnerability exposes systems to unauthorized actions that can be executed without user consent, potentially leading to significant security breaches and data compromise. The affected version range spans from an unknown starting point through version 2.13.2, indicating that any installation within this scope remains vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of user requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate legitimate user sessions and perform unauthorized operations on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of request origins and lack of proper anti-CSRF token mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interfaces. When users navigate to compromised websites or receive malicious emails containing crafted links, the vulnerability allows attackers to initiate unauthorized actions such as modifying newsletter settings, sending spam emails, or altering subscriber data. The flaw operates by exploiting the trust relationship between the web application and the user's browser, where legitimate requests are processed without adequate verification of the request source. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery conditions in web applications, making it a well-documented and dangerous security weakness that has been targeted by attackers for years.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire newsletter systems and user databases. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to send unauthorized newsletters to subscribers, modify critical system configurations, or even establish persistent access points within the affected WordPress environment. The consequences could include reputational damage, loss of subscriber trust, and potential regulatory compliance violations for organizations handling sensitive user data. Organizations using Newspack Newsletters are particularly at risk since the plugin integrates deeply with WordPress core functionality, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit weaknesses in email marketing infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 which involves social engineering through malicious links, and T1071.001 which covers application layer protocols including HTTP.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37242 require immediate action from affected organizations to update to patched versions of the Newspack Newsletters plugin, with version 2.13.3 or later recommended to address the vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including monitoring for unauthorized administrative actions, implementing proper input validation, and ensuring that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, while user education regarding suspicious links and email content remains crucial. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress environments to identify any other potentially vulnerable plugins or components that may be susceptible to similar CSRF attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in web applications can create significant security risks when exploited by malicious actors.