CVE-2024-9422 in GEO my WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2024
The GEO my WP WordPress plugin before 4.5, gmw-premium-settings WordPress plugin before 3.1 does not sufficiently validate files to be uploaded, which could allow attackers to upload arbitrary files such as PHP on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9422 affects two WordPress plugins: GEO my WP version 4.4 and below, and gmw-premium-settings version 3.0 and below. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from insufficient input validation during file upload operations within these plugins. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to upload malicious files to the target WordPress installation, potentially enabling remote code execution and full system compromise. The flaw exists in the file upload functionality where proper validation checks are missing or inadequate, creating an attack vector that directly violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and file handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the lack of proper file type validation and content verification mechanisms within the plugin's upload handlers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading PHP files or other executable scripts that bypass the intended file upload restrictions. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the weakness of allowing untrusted data to be uploaded to a web server without proper validation. The flaw essentially creates a path for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, as the uploaded files are processed and stored without sufficient security checks that would normally validate file extensions, MIME types, or file contents against known safe patterns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain persistent access to the compromised WordPress installation and potentially the entire hosting environment. The attacker can upload web shells, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that provide remote access and control over the target system. The implications extend beyond the immediate plugin scope, as compromised WordPress installations often serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Web Shell" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" which are commonly used by threat actors to establish persistence and maintain access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, which could be obtained through compromised credentials or social engineering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9422 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions 4.5 and 3.1 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for proper file validation. Organizations should implement additional security measures including restricting file upload capabilities, implementing strict file type whitelisting, and deploying web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block suspicious file upload attempts. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload patterns and potentially malicious file executions. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include comprehensive checks for vulnerable plugins and proper file upload configurations. The remediation process must also include credential rotation for users who had access to the affected systems and implementation of principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from future similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should consider deploying automated scanning tools to identify and remediate similar issues across their entire WordPress ecosystem.