CVE-2024-12827
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to reset passwords for any user account in the DWT - Directory & Listing WordPress Theme, including administrator accounts. All WordPress sites using this theme version 3.3.6 or earlier are affected. Attackers can gain full control of compromised accounts.
💻 Affected Systems
- DWT - Directory & Listing WordPress 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
Complete site takeover where attackers reset administrator passwords, gain full administrative access, install backdoors, deface the site, steal sensitive data, or use the site for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers reset administrator or privileged user passwords to gain unauthorized access, potentially leading to data theft, site defacement, or malware installation.
If Mitigated
With proper monitoring and access controls, impact is limited to temporary account lockout and password reset procedures.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability requires no authentication and has simple exploitation via crafted HTTP requests to the password reset endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.3.7 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://themeforest.net/item/dwt-listing-directory-listing-wordpress-theme/21976132
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Update DWT - Directory & Listing theme to version 3.3.7 or later. 4. Verify update completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to a different WordPress theme until patched
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
Restrict access to password reset endpoint
linuxUse web application firewall or .htaccess to block access to vulnerable endpoint
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^wp-content/themes/dwt-listing/.*\.php$ - [F,L]
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strong web application firewall rules to block suspicious password reset requests
- Enable multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes for DWT - Directory & Listing theme version 3.3.6 or earlierCheck Version:
wp theme list --name=dwt-listing --fields=name,status,versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm theme version is 3.3.7 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual password reset requests from unfamiliar IP addresses
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful login from new IP
- POST requests to /wp-content/themes/dwt-listing/ containing password reset parameters
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to theme-specific password reset endpoints from external IPs
- Unusual traffic patterns to password reset functionality
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (url_path="/wp-content/themes/dwt-listing/" AND method="POST" AND (params="reset_password" OR params="dwt_listing_reset_password"))