CVE-2024-12626
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts via a specific parameter in the AutomatorWP WordPress plugin. When combined with the plugin's import/code action feature, it can lead to arbitrary code execution. All WordPress sites using AutomatorWP versions up to 5.0.9 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- AutomatorWP – Automator plugin for WordPress
⚠️ 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 achieve remote code execution on the WordPress server, potentially compromising the entire site and underlying infrastructure.
Likely Case
Attackers steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users via reflected XSS.
If Mitigated
Attack limited to client-side script execution in victim's browser with no server compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires tricking users into clicking malicious links. Combined with import/code action feature enables code execution.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.1.0
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3209794/automatorwp
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find AutomatorWP and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 5.1.0 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AutomatorWP Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate automatorwp
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests containing malicious script patterns in the vulnerable parameter
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent script execution
- Use web application firewall to block XSS payload patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → AutomatorWP version. If version ≤ 5.0.9, vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get automatorwp --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm AutomatorWP version is 5.1.0 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing 'a-0-o-search_field_value' parameter with script tags or JavaScript code
- Unusual plugin import/code execution activity
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET requests with encoded script payloads in query parameters
- Traffic patterns matching reflected XSS exploitation
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri_query="*a-0-o-search_field_value*" AND (uri_query="*<script*" OR uri_query="*javascript:*"))