CVE-2024-13835
📋 TL;DR
The Post Meta Data Manager WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with Administrator access to escalate privileges on multisite installations. Attackers can gain elevated privileges on subsites they shouldn't have access to. This affects all WordPress multisite installations using the plugin up to version 1.4.3.
💻 Affected Systems
- Post Meta Data Manager WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Post Meta Data Manager by Wpexpertplugins
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of WordPress multisite network where attackers gain super-admin privileges across all subsites, enabling data theft, defacement, malware installation, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Attackers with administrator access on one subsite gain elevated privileges on other subsites, potentially accessing sensitive data or modifying content on unauthorized sites.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized privilege escalation attempts that are detected and blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated administrator access on at least one subsite. Exploitation is straightforward once initial access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/post-meta-data-manager/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Post Meta Data Manager. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.4.4+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate post-meta-data-manager
Restrict Administrator Access
allLimit administrator accounts and implement strong access controls
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Post Meta Data Manager plugin entirely from multisite installations
- Implement strict network segmentation and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Post Meta Data Manager version. If version is 1.4.3 or lower on a multisite installation, it's vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get post-meta-data-manager --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.4.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual user meta modifications
- Privilege escalation attempts in WordPress logs
- Administrator actions from unexpected IPs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual admin panel access patterns
- Multiple subsite access from single administrator
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("post-meta-data-manager" OR "user_meta" OR "privilege") AND ("modify" OR "escalate" OR "unauthorized")