CVE-2024-9065 in WP Helper Premium Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2024
The WP Helper Premium plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'whp_smtp_send_mail_test' function in all versions up to, and including, 4.6.1. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to send emails containing any content and originating from the vulnerable WordPress instance to any recipient.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2026
The WP Helper Premium plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability that stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within its core functionality. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 4.6.1, creating a persistent risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The flaw resides specifically within the 'whp_smtp_send_mail_test' function, which fails to implement proper capability checks before executing email sending operations. This missing validation allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the functionality and send arbitrary emails from the compromised WordPress instance.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The absence of capability verification creates an unauthorized access vector where attackers can bypass normal authentication requirements and directly invoke the email sending function. This flaw operates at the application level and represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability, as it allows attackers to perform actions typically restricted to authenticated administrators. The function's design does not require any form of user authentication or authorization verification before processing email transmission requests.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the compromised WordPress instance as a relay for sending spam emails or conducting phishing campaigns. The attacker can craft malicious email content that appears to originate from the legitimate WordPress installation, potentially bypassing spam filters and gaining trust from recipients. This capability significantly amplifies the impact of the vulnerability beyond simple data modification, as it allows for social engineering attacks and reputation damage to the affected organization. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require any special privileges or credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the plugin's endpoint.
The security implications extend to various attack vectors defined within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1566 - Phishing categories. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability to establish persistent email channels for malicious activities while maintaining stealth through the legitimate appearance of the WordPress instance. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the vulnerable plugin functionality, implementing proper authentication checks, and conducting thorough security audits of all WordPress plugins. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual email sending patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive operations like email transmission.