CVE-2024-43235
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Meta Box WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls and perform unauthorized actions. It affects all WordPress sites running Meta Box plugin versions up to 5.9.10. The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels.
💻 Affected Systems
- Meta Box - WordPress Custom Fields Framework
⚠️ 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 custom fields, alter post metadata, or potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire WordPress installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify custom field data, potentially altering content display, SEO metadata, or other site functionality controlled by custom fields.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, impact would be limited to authorized users only performing intended actions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access but can be performed by users with lower privileges than intended. The vulnerability is in access control logic rather than complex technical flaws.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.9.11 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/meta-box/wordpress-meta-box-plugin-5-9-10-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Meta Box' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 5.9.11+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the Meta Box plugin until patched to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate meta-box
Access Restriction
allImplement additional access controls via WordPress roles or security plugins
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user role management and limit who can access custom field functionality
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block unauthorized access attempts to Meta Box endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Meta Box version. If version is 5.9.10 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get meta-box --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Meta Box plugin version is 5.9.11 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with meta-box related actions
- Multiple failed authorization attempts on custom field endpoints
- Unexpected modifications to postmeta database table
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to WordPress admin-ajax endpoints from unauthorized IPs
- POST requests containing meta_box parameters from non-admin users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("admin-ajax.php" AND "meta_box") AND NOT user_role="administrator"