CVE-2024-43277
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the UsersWP WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects all UsersWP plugin versions up to 1.2.15, potentially allowing unauthorized access to functionality intended for privileged users.
💻 Affected Systems
- AyeCode Ltd UsersWP 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 gain administrative privileges, modify user data, delete accounts, or access sensitive user information across the entire WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could access user management functions, modify user profiles, or view sensitive user information they shouldn't have access to.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, impact would be limited to authorized functionality only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access but can be performed by users with minimal privileges to escalate to higher privileges.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2.16 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/userswp/wordpress-userswp-plugin-1-2-15-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 UsersWP plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.2.16+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable UsersWP Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate userswp
Restrict Access via .htaccess
linuxAdd access restrictions to UsersWP plugin directories
# Add to .htaccess in userswp plugin directory:
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict role-based access controls and audit all user permissions
- Monitor logs for unauthorized access attempts to user management functions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → UsersWP → Version. If version is 1.2.15 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get userswp --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify UsersWP plugin version is 1.2.16 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to user management endpoints
- User role changes from non-admin accounts
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful user management actions
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with user management actions
- Requests to UsersWP-specific endpoints from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("userswp" OR "user management") AND (response_code=200 OR response_code=302) AND user_role!=administrator