CVE-2024-12544
📋 TL;DR
The SurveyJS WordPress plugin has an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to delete any file on the server. This can lead to remote code execution by deleting critical files like wp-config.php. All versions up to 1.12.17 are affected, and the vulnerability remains CSRF-vulnerable in version 1.12.20.
💻 Affected Systems
- SurveyJS: Drag & Drop WordPress Form Builder
⚠️ 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
Complete site compromise via remote code execution by deleting wp-config.php or other critical files, leading to data loss, defacement, or malware installation.
Likely Case
Site disruption or data loss through deletion of important files, potentially causing downtime or requiring restoration from backups.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions and access controls prevent deletion of critical system files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access but only Subscriber-level privileges, which are commonly available. CSRF vulnerability in 1.12.20 enables easier exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.12.18 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3214665/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find SurveyJS plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.12.18+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the SurveyJS plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate surveyjs
Restrict file permissions
linuxSet strict permissions on critical files like wp-config.php to prevent deletion.
chmod 400 wp-config.php
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Subscriber role from all users or restrict user registration.
- Implement web application firewall rules to block requests to the vulnerable delete_file.php endpoint.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > SurveyJS version. If version is 1.12.17 or lower, it's vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get surveyjs --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 1.12.18 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/surveyjs/ajax_handlers/delete_file.php with file deletion parameters
- Unauthorized file deletion events in server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to delete_file.php endpoint from authenticated users
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="/wp-content/plugins/surveyjs/ajax_handlers/delete_file.php" AND method="POST"