CVE-2024-4969 in Widget Bundle Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2024
The Widget Bundle WordPress plugin through 2.0.0 does not have CSRF checks when logging Widgets, which could allow attackers to make logged in admin enable/disable widgets via a CSRF attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2025
The Widget Bundle WordPress plugin version 2.0.0 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within its administrative logging functionality. This flaw exists in the plugin's handling of widget enablement and disablement operations, where the system fails to validate the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate administrative users. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's ability to verify that administrative actions are genuinely initiated by authorized users rather than being executed through maliciously crafted requests. The absence of CSRF tokens or similar validation mechanisms creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the plugin's administrative interface without proper authorization. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the plugin's security architecture, as it fails to implement basic web application security controls that are considered essential for protecting administrative functions. The vulnerability directly violates established security principles and patterns that are documented in industry standards such as CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities.
The technical flaw manifests when administrators perform widget management operations within the WordPress admin panel while logged in. The plugin's logging mechanism for widget changes does not require any form of anti-CSRF token validation, session consistency checks, or referer header verification. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious web pages or emails containing specially designed links or embedded scripts that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically trigger widget enablement or disablement actions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or authentication credentials beyond those of a legitimate administrator. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed through social engineering techniques, where administrators are tricked into visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as it exploits legitimate administrative sessions through deceptive means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and far-reaching for WordPress installations using the affected plugin. Attackers who successfully exploit this CSRF vulnerability can manipulate widget configurations to disrupt website functionality, potentially leading to service degradation or complete site compromise. The ability to enable or disable widgets can be used to introduce malicious code injection points, remove security-enhancing widgets, or create confusion among site administrators. This vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to administrative functions that might reveal additional system information or facilitate further exploitation. The impact extends beyond immediate functional disruption to include potential data integrity issues, as widget configurations often contain references to external resources or scripts that could be manipulated. Organizations using this plugin face increased risk of unauthorized modifications to their websites, which could result in reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should be implemented immediately through multiple layers of protection. The most critical remediation involves updating to the latest version of the Widget Bundle plugin where CSRF protection has been properly implemented. Until such updates are available, administrators should implement additional security controls including the use of security headers, implementing Content Security Policy directives, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also enforce strict access controls and monitor administrative activities for unusual widget configuration changes that might indicate unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts provides an additional layer of defense against session hijacking and unauthorized access. Security monitoring should include logging and alerting mechanisms specifically designed to detect unauthorized administrative actions, particularly those involving widget management operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing comprehensive security testing practices including penetration testing and security code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in production environments.