CVE-2024-11620
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject arbitrary code into .htaccess files, potentially leading to remote code execution. It affects all WordPress sites using Rank Math SEO versions up to 1.0.231. Attackers can compromise websites and gain unauthorized access.
💻 Affected Systems
- Rank Math SEO WordPress Plugin
⚠️ 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
Full website compromise with remote code execution, allowing attackers to deface sites, steal data, install malware, or pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Website defacement, SEO spam injection, backdoor installation, or credential theft from the compromised WordPress installation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web application firewalls blocking malicious requests.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access, but WordPress sites often have multiple user accounts that could be compromised.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.232 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Rank Math SEO and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 1.0.232 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Rank Math SEO Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate seo-by-rank-math
Restrict .htaccess File Permissions
linuxSet .htaccess file to read-only for web server user.
chmod 444 .htaccess
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block .htaccess modification attempts
- Restrict WordPress user roles and implement strong authentication controls
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Rank Math SEO version. If version is 1.0.231 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get seo-by-rank-math --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Rank Math SEO version is 1.0.232 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual .htaccess file modifications
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
- Suspicious POST requests to Rank Math SEO endpoints
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from web server
- HTTP requests to known exploit tool user-agents
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("rank-math" OR ".htaccess") AND ("modification" OR "injection")