CVE-2024-49216 in Feed Comments Number Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in jclay06 Feed Comments Number feed-comments-number allows Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server.This issue affects Feed Comments Number: from n/a through <= 0.2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49216 represents a critical security flaw in the jclay06 Feed Comments Number plugin, specifically impacting versions prior to 0.2.2. This issue manifests as an unrestricted file upload vulnerability that permits malicious actors to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload potentially harmful files to the target web server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's file upload functionality, creating an attack vector that directly enables remote code execution through web shell deployment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied file uploads without proper type checking or content validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading malicious files with extensions that are typically allowed for legitimate use cases but can execute code when processed by the web server. The vulnerability specifically affects the feed-comments-number component where user comments are processed and stored, allowing attackers to manipulate the upload process to place executable files in directories accessible by the web server. This flaw aligns with CWE-434 which describes the improper restriction of uploads of files with dangerous types, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices for file handling operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file placement, as it directly enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for complete system compromise. Once an attacker successfully uploads a web shell, they gain persistent access to the compromised server, allowing them to execute arbitrary commands, escalate privileges, and potentially establish backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects the entire scope of the plugin's functionality, as any user with comment submission privileges can exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where comment moderation is enabled. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables both code execution and command injection capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49216 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 0.2.2 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for file upload validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive file type validation that rejects suspicious file extensions and content, enforce strict upload directory permissions, and consider implementing additional security measures such as file content analysis and mandatory virus scanning for all uploaded files. The fix should include proper input sanitization, MIME type checking, and implementation of secure file naming conventions to prevent path traversal attacks. Security teams should also monitor web server logs for suspicious upload patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices including principle of least privilege for file upload operations and regular security audits of third-party plugins to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in production environments.