CVE-2024-6869 in Falang Multilanguage Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2024
The Falang multilanguage for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on several functions in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.52. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update and delete translations and expose the administrator email address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6869 affects the Falang multilanguage plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected websites. This issue stems from insufficient capability validation within the plugin's core functions, specifically impacting all versions through 1.3.52. The flaw allows attackers with minimal privileges to exploit the system's trust model and gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions that should be restricted to privileged users only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through missing capability checks in multiple functions within the plugin's codebase. According to CWE-863, this represents a "Incorrect Authorization" vulnerability where the application fails to properly verify whether an authenticated user possesses the necessary privileges to perform specific operations. The flaw enables authenticated attackers who have achieved Subscriber-level access or higher to manipulate translation data and potentially expose administrator email addresses. This represents a significant escalation of privileges within the WordPress ecosystem where standard user roles should not be able to access administrative functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification capabilities, as it creates potential for information disclosure and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to update or delete translation content, potentially disrupting website functionality and user experience while simultaneously exposing sensitive administrative contact information. The exposure of administrator email addresses creates additional attack surface for social engineering attempts and targeted phishing campaigns. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations where multiple user roles exist and where translation management is actively used, making it a significant concern for multilingual websites.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where the capability checks have been properly implemented. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where attackers leverage insufficient access controls to expand their capabilities within a system. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify all instances of the affected plugin and ensure proper user role management is enforced. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and access logging can help detect unauthorized attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and capability checks in WordPress plugins, particularly those handling content management and user access control functions.