CVE-2024-9778 in ImagePress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2024
The ImagePress – Image Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.2. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the 'imagepress_admin_page' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update plugin settings, including redirection URLs, via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2025
The CVE-2024-9778 vulnerability affects the ImagePress – Image Gallery plugin for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site request forgery weakness that has persisted across all versions up to and including 1.2.2. This vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls within the plugin's administrative interface, specifically targeting the 'imagepress_admin_page' function where nonce validation is either absent or improperly implemented. The flaw creates a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to manipulate plugin configurations without requiring valid authentication credentials, fundamentally undermining the security model of the WordPress platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic CSRF attack vector where malicious actors can construct forged HTTP requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative users. The absence of proper nonce validation means that any request sent to the vulnerable endpoint can be executed by the target system without verification of the user's intent or authorization. This particular weakness allows attackers to modify critical plugin settings including redirection URLs, which can be leveraged to redirect administrators to malicious sites or to execute other harmful actions within the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through social engineering techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the plugin's behavior in ways that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. When administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites, they unknowingly execute requests that modify plugin settings, potentially creating backdoors or redirecting traffic to attacker-controlled domains. This vulnerability can be exploited in conjunction with other attacks, such as phishing campaigns or drive-by downloads, to create a more comprehensive compromise of the affected system. The implications are particularly severe in environments where administrators frequently interact with external links or where multiple users have administrative access to the WordPress site.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the ImagePress plugin once available, implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery flaws in software applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity best practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and initial access through social engineering, making it a significant concern for defenders who must protect against both automated attacks and targeted social engineering campaigns. The recommended remediation strategy includes not only patching the vulnerable plugin but also implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of administrators being tricked into executing malicious requests.