CVE-2024-37518
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in The Events Calendar WordPress plugin allows attackers to trick authenticated administrators into performing unintended actions. It affects all versions up to 6.5.1.4, potentially allowing unauthorized changes to event data.
💻 Affected Systems
- The Events Calendar 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
An attacker could create, modify, or delete events, change plugin settings, or perform other administrative actions without authorization.
Likely Case
Unauthorized modification or deletion of calendar events, potentially disrupting event management.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if CSRF tokens are properly implemented or administrative actions require re-authentication.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to trick an authenticated admin into clicking a malicious link.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.5.1.5 and later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find The Events Calendar. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 6.5.1.5+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement CSRF Protection
allAdd CSRF tokens to forms or use WordPress nonces in custom code.
Limit Admin Session Duration
allReduce admin session timeout to minimize exposure window.
Add to wp-config.php: define('AUTH_COOKIE_EXPIRATION', 3600); // 1 hour
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block CSRF attempts.
- Educate administrators about phishing risks and safe browsing practices.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check plugin version in WordPress admin under Plugins > Installed Plugins.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='the-events-calendar' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 6.5.1.5 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin endpoints without referrer validation.
- Multiple failed admin actions from unexpected IPs.
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with missing or mismatched Referer headers to admin endpoints.
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" OR uri_path CONTAINS "tribe_events") AND http_method="POST" AND NOT referer CONTAINS site_domain