CVE-2024-37542 – This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vuln... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-37542?

CVE-2024-37542 has a CVSS score of 5.4 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WpDevArt Responsive Image Gallery, Gallery Album WordPress plugin. It allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should require authentication, potentially modifying gallery content. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WpDevArt Responsive Image Gallery, Gallery Album WordPress plugin. It allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should require authentication, potentially modifying gallery content. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

WpDevArt Responsive Image Gallery, Gallery Album WordPress plugin

Versions: n/a through 2.0.3

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All WordPress installations using vulnerable plugin versions are affected regardless of configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Gallery by Wpdevart

View all CVEs affecting Gallery →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Unauthenticated attackers could modify, delete, or inject malicious content into galleries, potentially leading to site defacement or malware distribution.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized users could alter gallery images, videos, or settings, disrupting site functionality and content integrity.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper access controls and authentication checks, only authorized administrators could modify gallery content.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the attack vector is identified.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.0.4 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/gallery-album/wordpress-gallery-image-and-video-gallery-with-thumbnails-plugin-2-0-3-broken-access-control-vulnerability-2?_s_id=cve

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Responsive Image Gallery, Gallery Album'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.0.4+ from WordPress repository and manually update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable plugin

all

Temporarily deactivate the plugin until patched version is available

wp plugin deactivate gallery-album

Restrict admin access

all

Limit WordPress admin access to trusted IP addresses only

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Remove the plugin entirely and use alternative gallery solutions
Implement web application firewall rules to block unauthorized gallery modification requests

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Responsive Image Gallery, Gallery Album' version

Check Version:

wp plugin get gallery-album --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify plugin version is 2.0.4 or higher in WordPress admin plugins list

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unauthorized POST requests to gallery admin endpoints
Unexpected gallery content modifications from unauthenticated users

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with gallery-related actions from unauthenticated sources

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND action CONTAINS "gallery") AND user="-"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-37542

CVSS v3 Score: 5.4 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L

CWE: CWE-862

Published: July 6, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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