CVE-2024-43261
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include remote PHP files through improper filename control in the Compute Links WordPress plugin. Attackers can execute arbitrary code on affected servers, potentially taking full control. All WordPress sites running Compute Links version 1.2.1 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Compute Links 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
Complete server compromise leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or website defacement
Likely Case
Unauthenticated remote code execution allowing backdoor installation and data exfiltration
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper web application firewalls and file inclusion restrictions are in place
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP requests can trigger the vulnerability without authentication
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/compute-links/wordpress-compute-links-plugin-1-2-1-remote-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins
3. Find Compute Links plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if update available
5. If no update, deactivate and delete plugin
6. Install latest version from WordPress repository
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable PHP allow_url_include
allPrevents PHP from including remote files via URL
php.ini: allow_url_include = Off
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests containing suspicious include/require parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the Compute Links plugin
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-controlled file paths
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Compute Links version. If version is 1.2.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=compute-links --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.2.2 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual PHP include/require statements in web server logs
- Requests with suspicious file parameters to Compute Links endpoints
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing remote URLs in file inclusion parameters
- Unexpected outbound connections from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND ("include" OR "require") AND ("http://" OR "https://" OR "ftp://") AND "compute-links"