CVE-2024-49608 in Gerryworks Post by Mail Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2024
Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in gerryworks GERRYWORKS Post by Mail gerryworks-post-by-mail allows Privilege Escalation.This issue affects GERRYWORKS Post by Mail: from n/a through <= 1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The CVE-2024-49608 vulnerability represents a critical privilege assignment flaw within the gerryworks GERRYWORKS Post by Mail plugin version 1.0 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper privilege management, which is classified as CWE-276 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The issue manifests in the plugin's inability to properly validate and assign user privileges, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the WordPress plugin ecosystem where gerryworks Post by Mail is installed, potentially allowing attackers to elevate their access levels from standard user privileges to administrative rights.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality. When users interact with the plugin's features, particularly those related to post creation or modification, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to perform the requested operations. This misconfiguration allows malicious actors to exploit the privilege assignment mechanism and gain elevated permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists in the plugin's core privilege handling logic, making it difficult to patch without a complete plugin update. Attackers can potentially leverage this flaw to modify or delete content, access restricted areas, or even install additional malicious plugins, all while maintaining the appearance of legitimate administrative activity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that utilize the affected plugin. Organizations relying on gerryworks Post by Mail for content management may face unauthorized access to sensitive data, content manipulation, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all versions from the initial release through version 1.0, indicating that the flaw has been present for some time and potentially exploited by threat actors. This issue represents a serious concern for content management systems where user roles and permissions are critical for maintaining security boundaries. The privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain complete administrative control over the WordPress installation, which could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or further network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49608 require immediate action from affected organizations. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest available version of the gerryworks Post by Mail plugin where the privilege assignment flaw has been addressed. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including monitoring for unauthorized privilege changes, reviewing user access logs for suspicious activity, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential damage from compromised accounts. Organizations should consider applying the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only possess the minimum permissions necessary for their roles. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers Valid Accounts and Privilege Escalation, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing security frameworks that address these attack patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar privilege assignment issues in other plugins or system components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in access control mechanisms.