CVE-2024-7690 in DN Popup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2024
The DN Popup WordPress plugin through 1.2.2 does not have CSRF check in place when updating its settings, which could allow attackers to make a logged in admin change them via a CSRF attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7690 affects the DN Popup WordPress plugin version 1.2.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of administrative operations within WordPress environments. This issue stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms in the plugin's settings update functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate administrative configurations without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's administrative interface where settings modifications occur, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access the WordPress dashboard.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing CSRF token validation within the plugin's administrative update processes. When administrators access the plugin settings page and submit modifications, the system fails to verify that the request originates from a legitimate administrative session rather than a crafted malicious request. This absence of token validation creates a condition where an attacker can construct a malicious webpage or email containing a specially crafted request that, when executed by a logged-in administrator, will modify the plugin's configuration. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects the web application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, making it a prime candidate for exploitation in targeted attacks against WordPress installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further exploitation within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully executes a CSRF attack against the DN Popup plugin could alter popup settings to redirect users to malicious domains, change display parameters to hide important security warnings, or manipulate the plugin's behavior in ways that could facilitate additional attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations where the plugin is actively used and where administrators maintain persistent sessions, as the attack requires only that the administrator visits a malicious page while authenticated. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that contain embedded CSRF payloads.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including updating to the latest version of the DN Popup plugin where CSRF protection has been implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF patterns, monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and proper authentication mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through web application exploitation, making it a significant concern for organizations seeking to maintain secure WordPress environments. The risk assessment should include consideration of the plugin's usage patterns, administrator behavior, and the overall security posture of the WordPress installation to determine appropriate remediation priorities and timeline for patching.