CVE-2024-49627 in WordPress Image SEO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2024
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Noor Alam WordPress Image SEO allows Cross Site Request Forgery.This issue affects WordPress Image SEO: from n/a through 1.1.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49627 resides within the WordPress Image SEO plugin developed by Noor Alam, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.1.4, creating a window of exposure for WordPress installations that have not been updated to the latest secure version. The issue manifests through the absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interfaces, leaving WordPress sites vulnerable to exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate user sessions and execute unintended operations.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to implement adequate anti-CSRF measures such as nonce validation or token-based authentication for critical administrative functions. When users navigate to malicious websites or receive crafted payloads through social engineering campaigns, attackers can leverage the vulnerable plugin to perform actions like modifying image settings, altering SEO configurations, or executing administrative commands without the user's knowledge or consent. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly violates the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized modifications to plugin configurations that can significantly impact site functionality and security posture. The flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a direct violation of the security principle that all requests to modify application state must be authenticated and authorized through proper validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire WordPress installations through lateral movement and privilege escalation techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could modify image optimization settings to introduce malicious code, alter SEO metadata to redirect traffic to malicious domains, or manipulate plugin configurations to create persistent backdoors. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators might inadvertently trigger malicious requests while browsing compromised websites or through phishing attacks that exploit the trust relationship between the user and the WordPress admin interface. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many WordPress installations lack proper security monitoring or intrusion detection systems to identify unauthorized administrative modifications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49627 require immediate action from WordPress site administrators to upgrade to the latest version of the Image SEO plugin where the CSRF vulnerability has been addressed. The recommended approach includes implementing comprehensive patch management processes that prioritize security updates for all WordPress plugins and themes, particularly those handling administrative functions or user data modifications. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF attack patterns, implement proper input validation for all administrative endpoints, and establish monitoring protocols that alert administrators to unauthorized configuration changes. Security teams should consider implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting administrative access to essential personnel only, and conducting regular security audits to identify other potential CSRF vulnerabilities within the WordPress ecosystem. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious links and attachments that could trigger CSRF attacks, while network segmentation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the need for continuous monitoring of third-party components within WordPress installations.