CVE-2024-50454 in SEOPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Benjamin Denis SEOPress wp-seopress allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects SEOPress: from n/a through <= 8.1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50454 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the SEOPress WordPress plugin developed by Benjamin Denis SEOPress. This security weakness manifests as an incorrectly configured access control security level that permits unauthorized users to exploit functionality that should be restricted to privileged administrators. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the SEOPress plugin ranging from the initial release through version 8.1.1, creating a persistent risk window for affected WordPress installations. The flaw resides in the plugin's access control implementation where proper authentication checks are either absent or improperly enforced, allowing malicious actors to bypass expected security boundaries.
This missing authorization vulnerability falls under the CWE-862 category of "Missing Authorization" which is classified as a fundamental access control weakness in software systems. The issue creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks where unauthenticated or low-privilege users can access administrative functions and sensitive data that should only be available to authorized administrators. The operational impact extends beyond simple data exposure to include potential system compromise through manipulation of SEO settings, access to sensitive configuration data, and possible exploitation of other plugin functionalities that rely on proper access controls. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient access control validation where the plugin fails to verify user permissions before executing privileged operations.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials, specifically focusing on the exploitation of weak access controls. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to administrative features without proper authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects WordPress environments where SEOPress is installed, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different permission levels exist. The impact is exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerability exists across multiple versions, indicating a systemic flaw in the plugin's architecture rather than a one-time coding error. Organizations running affected versions face immediate risk of unauthorized modifications to SEO configurations, potential data leakage through administrative access, and possible injection of malicious content through compromised administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-50454 require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the SEOPress plugin where the authorization flaw has been addressed. System administrators should implement comprehensive access control monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and ensure that all users have appropriate permission levels. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security audits and proper access control implementation in WordPress plugins. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of all installed plugins are essential to identify similar authorization flaws. The fix typically involves proper implementation of authentication checks and authorization verification before any privileged operations are executed. Security teams should also review existing access control policies and ensure that proper principle of least privilege is maintained across all plugin functionalities.