CVE-2024-34559
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Ghost Foundation Ghost WordPress plugin allows sensitive information to be written to log files, potentially exposing credentials, API keys, or other confidential data. It affects all versions up to and including 1.4.0. WordPress administrators using the vulnerable plugin are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Ghost Foundation Ghost 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
Attackers gain access to log files containing authentication tokens, database credentials, or API keys, leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to connected services.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users access log files containing sensitive data like user information, configuration details, or partial credentials, enabling further attacks or data exposure.
If Mitigated
With proper file permissions and log monitoring, exposure is limited, but sensitive data remains in logs, creating residual risk if logs are later accessed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to log files, which may be protected by file permissions. No public exploit code is known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ghost/wordpress-ghost-plugin-1-4-0-sensitive-data-exposure-via-log-file-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Ghost' plugin and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 1.4.1 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Log File Access
linuxSet strict file permissions on WordPress log directories to prevent unauthorized access.
chmod 640 /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/ghost-logs/*
chown www-data:www-data /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/ghost-logs/*
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the Ghost plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate ghost
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls on log directories (e.g., chmod 600, proper ownership).
- Regularly monitor and sanitize log files to remove sensitive data.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Ghost plugin version 1.4.0 or lower.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=ghost --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Ghost plugin version is 1.4.1 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to log files in wp-content/ghost-logs/ directory.
- Log entries containing sensitive strings like 'password', 'token', 'key', or 'secret'.
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to log file paths (e.g., /wp-content/ghost-logs/*.log).
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (url="*ghost-logs*" OR url="*.log") AND status=200