CVE-2024-43154
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access administrative functions in the Advanced Cron Manager WordPress plugin due to missing authorization checks. It affects all WordPress sites running Advanced Cron Manager versions up to 2.5.9. Attackers could exploit this to view or modify cron job configurations without proper permissions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Advanced Cron Manager – debug & control 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 could modify or delete critical cron jobs, disrupt scheduled tasks, execute arbitrary code via cron job manipulation, or gain persistent access to the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users can view cron job configurations, modify non-critical scheduled tasks, or disrupt normal plugin functionality.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, impact is limited to authorized users only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some WordPress user access but bypasses authorization checks for administrative functions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6.0 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Advanced Cron Manager. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.6.0+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Advanced Cron Manager plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate advanced-cron-manager
Restrict access via .htaccess
linuxAdd access restrictions to plugin directory
<FilesMatch "\.(php|inc)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access WordPress admin interface
- Enable WordPress security plugins that monitor for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Advanced Cron Manager version. If version is 2.5.9 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get advanced-cron-manager --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.6.0 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to /wp-admin/admin.php?page=advanced-cron-manager
- Unexpected cron job modifications in WordPress logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP requests to plugin admin endpoints from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("advanced-cron-manager" OR "cron manager") AND ("unauthorized" OR "admin.php?page=")