CVE-2024-10578
📋 TL;DR
The Pubnews WordPress theme has a vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to install arbitrary plugins without proper authorization. This can lead to further exploitation through malicious plugins. All WordPress sites using Pubnews theme versions 1.0.7 and earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Pubnews Theme
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain full control of the WordPress site by installing malicious plugins that provide remote code execution, backdoor access, or data exfiltration capabilities.
Likely Case
Attackers install plugins with known vulnerabilities or backdoors to establish persistence, escalate privileges, or steal sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, unauthorized plugin installations would be detected and blocked before causing significant damage.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once an attacker has valid credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.8
Vendor Advisory: https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/250743/pubnews/1.0.8
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Update Pubnews theme to version 1.0.8 or later. 4. Alternatively, replace with a different theme.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable function
allRemove or comment out the vulnerable pubnews_importer_plugin_action_for_notice() function
Edit wp-content/themes/pubnews/inc/admin/admin.php and remove lines 1017-1020
Restrict user capabilities
allRemove plugin installation capabilities from Subscriber and other low-privilege roles
Use WordPress role management plugin or custom code to modify user capabilities
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Switch to a different WordPress theme immediately
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized plugin installations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Pubnews theme version is 1.0.7 or earlier in WordPress admin panel under Appearance > ThemesCheck Version:
grep -r "Version:" wp-content/themes/pubnews/style.cssVerify Fix Applied:
Verify theme version shows 1.0.8 or later, or check that the vulnerable function has proper capability checks📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected plugin installations
- Plugin installation attempts by non-admin users
- Multiple failed plugin installation attempts
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to admin-ajax.php with plugin installation parameters
- Unusual outbound connections after plugin installation
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="plugin_installed" OR event="plugin_installation_attempt") AND user_role!="administrator"🔗 References
- https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/browser/pubnews/1.0.7/inc/admin/admin.php#L1017
- https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/250743/pubnews/1.0.8?contextall=1&old=245552&old_path=%2Fpubnews%2F1.0.7
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/7eaa0117-5320-431f-b3d2-05a867901528?source=cve
