CVE-2024-51637
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the WordPress Admin SMS Alert plugin that can lead to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Attackers can trick authenticated administrators into executing malicious actions, potentially injecting persistent scripts. WordPress sites using Admin SMS Alert version 1.1.0 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Admin SMS Alert 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 inject malicious JavaScript that steals administrator credentials, defaces websites, or installs backdoors when administrators visit compromised pages.
Likely Case
Attackers create phishing campaigns targeting administrators to inject malicious scripts that could redirect users, steal session cookies, or display unwanted content.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF tokens and input validation, the attack would fail, preventing any script injection.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires tricking an authenticated administrator into clicking a malicious link or visiting a crafted page.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Admin SMS Alert and update to version 1.1.1 or later. 4. If update not available, deactivate and delete the plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement CSRF Protection
allAdd CSRF tokens to all form submissions and AJAX requests in the plugin code.
Input Validation and Sanitization
allEnsure all user inputs are properly validated and sanitized before storage and output.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or remove the Admin SMS Alert plugin immediately.
- Restrict admin panel access to trusted IP addresses only using .htaccess or firewall rules.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Admin SMS Alert version 1.1.0 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='Admin SMS Alert' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Admin SMS Alert plugin is updated to version 1.1.1 or later, or verify the plugin is deactivated/removed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to admin-ajax.php or plugin-specific endpoints from unexpected sources.
- Administrator accounts performing unexpected plugin configuration changes.
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious script payloads in parameters like 'script', 'onload', or 'javascript:'.
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("admin-sms-alert" OR "Admin SMS Alert") AND (POST OR "wp-admin")