CVE-2024-50500
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme WordPress plugin. It allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels, potentially accessing functionality they shouldn't have permission to use. This affects WordPress sites using the Phlox Core Elements plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme (Phlox Core Elements)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could gain administrative privileges, modify site content, install malicious plugins/themes, or access sensitive user data.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could access restricted functionality, modify content they shouldn't have access to, or perform actions beyond their permission level.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, the vulnerability would be prevented from being exploited.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to the WordPress site, but the vulnerability allows privilege escalation beyond what the user should have.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.17.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find 'Phlox Core Elements' plugin. 4. Update to version 2.17.3 or later. 5. Verify update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Phlox Core Elements plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate auxin-elements
Restrict plugin access
linuxImplement additional access controls at web server level
# Add to .htaccess for Apache: <FilesMatch "auxin-elements"> Order Deny,Allow Deny from all </FilesMatch>
# Add to nginx config: location ~ /wp-content/plugins/auxin-elements/ { deny all; }
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict role-based access controls in WordPress
- Monitor for unauthorized access attempts to plugin functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Phlox Core Elements versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get auxin-elements --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.17.3 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to plugin endpoints
- Unusual user privilege changes
- Access to restricted plugin functionality by non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to auxin-elements plugin endpoints from unauthorized IPs
- Unusual POST requests to plugin admin functions
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/auxin-elements/" OR plugin="auxin-elements") AND (user_role!="administrator" OR response_code=403)