CVE-2026-24521 in Kama Thumbnail Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2026
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Timur Kamaev Kama Thumbnail kama-thumbnail allows Cross Site Request Forgery.This issue affects Kama Thumbnail: from n/a through <= 3.5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2026
This cross-site request forgery vulnerability exists within the Kama Thumbnail plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through version 3.5.1. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms when processing administrative requests. An attacker can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages or emails that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically submit unauthorized requests to the vulnerable plugin's endpoints. The flaw allows for unauthorized actions such as modifying thumbnail settings, deleting images, or potentially executing arbitrary code depending on the plugin's functionality and the administrator's privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery flaws in web applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently visit untrusted websites or where the plugin handles sensitive configuration changes that could impact the entire website's functionality. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials use through web application sessions, as the attack leverages existing administrator sessions without requiring additional authentication. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation if the plugin's administrative functions allow for broader system modifications.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs because the Kama Thumbnail plugin does not validate the origin of requests or implement anti-CSRF tokens in its administrative forms and AJAX endpoints. When an administrator visits a malicious page containing crafted requests, the browser automatically includes the administrator's session cookies, allowing the attacker to perform actions as if the administrator had initiated them. This flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the web application layer where session management and request validation should be robust. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns, compromised websites, or direct phishing attacks. The plugin's lack of CSRF protection is consistent with common web application security oversights where developers focus on functionality and user experience while neglecting security validation mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform persistent modifications to the website's thumbnail handling capabilities, potentially disrupting content delivery or creating backdoor access points through image manipulation features. The vulnerability's scope is limited to the plugin's specific administrative functions but can have cascading effects on the overall website security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should begin with immediate patching to versions 3.5.2 or later where the CSRF protection has been implemented. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including monitoring for unauthorized administrative changes, implementing web application firewalls with CSRF detection capabilities, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. Network-level protections can include configuring browser security policies and ensuring proper session management practices are in place. The implementation of anti-CSRF tokens in all administrative forms and AJAX endpoints should be mandatory for any plugin handling user privileges. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect similar CSRF vulnerabilities across the entire WordPress installation. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would violate several security standards including OWASP Top 10 2021's A03:2021 - Injection and A04:2021 - Insecure Design principles. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and ensure that all plugin installations undergo security review processes before deployment. Regular security training for administrators on recognizing social engineering attacks that may exploit such vulnerabilities is also recommended. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and request origin verification in web applications, particularly in plugin architectures where third-party code can introduce security risks that affect the entire platform's integrity.