CVE-2024-4480 in WP Prayer II Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2024
The WP Prayer II WordPress plugin through 2.4.7 does not have CSRF check in place when updating its email settings, which could allow attackers to make a logged in admin change them via a CSRF attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The WP Prayer II WordPress plugin version 2.4.7 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability classified as a Cross-Site Request Forgery flaw that compromises the integrity of administrative configurations. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's email settings update functionality where no proper Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanisms are implemented. The absence of CSRF tokens or validation checks means that authenticated administrators who visit malicious websites or click on compromised links can have their email settings modified without their knowledge or consent. This represents a significant risk to WordPress site security as administrators often have elevated privileges and their configuration changes can affect the entire site's communication capabilities and operational integrity.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the plugin's failure to validate the origin and authenticity of requests made to update email settings. When an administrator navigates to a malicious page that contains embedded requests to the WP Prayer II plugin's settings endpoint, the system processes these requests without verifying that they originated from legitimate administrative actions. This lack of request validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the plugin's configuration through social engineering techniques or by embedding malicious content within compromised websites. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's administrative interface where email settings can be modified, making it particularly dangerous as email configurations often control notification systems, contact forms, and automated communication features that are fundamental to many WordPress sites' operations.
The operational impact of this CSRF vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes and can severely compromise site security and functionality. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could redirect email notifications to malicious addresses, disable critical email functionality, or configure the plugin to send spam or phishing emails on behalf of the compromised site. This could lead to reputation damage, potential account takeovers, and increased attack surface for the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication from the attacker beyond the ability to get an authenticated administrator to visit a malicious page, making it a low-effort, high-impact attack vector. Additionally, the attack can be executed through various methods including malicious websites, compromised advertising networks, or social engineering campaigns that trick administrators into visiting harmful content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate action including updating to the latest version of the WP Prayer II plugin where the CSRF protection has been implemented. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls, monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues in software applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics including the use of malicious links and websites. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious requests, enable two-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized changes to plugin configurations. The incident highlights the critical importance of implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms in all web applications and administrative interfaces, particularly those that handle sensitive configuration data.