CVE-2024-51788
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to upload arbitrary files, including web shells, to WordPress servers running the Novel Design Store Directory plugin. Attackers can gain full control of affected websites. All WordPress sites using this plugin version 4.3.0 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Novel Design Store Directory 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 use as part of a botnet.
Likely Case
Website defacement, data exfiltration, and installation of backdoors for persistent access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file uploads are restricted at web server level or WAF blocks malicious uploads.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP POST request with malicious file upload can exploit this vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.3.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find 'The Novel Design Store Directory'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allDeactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate noveldesign-store-directory
wp plugin delete noveldesign-store-directory
Web Server File Restriction
allConfigure web server to block execution of uploaded files in upload directories
# Apache: Add to .htaccess in uploads directory
<FilesMatch "\.(php|php5|phtml|pl|py|jsp|asp|sh|cgi)$">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
# Nginx: Add to server block
location ~* /\.(php|php5|phtml|pl|py|jsp|asp|sh|cgi)$ {
deny all;
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the plugin from all WordPress installations.
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file uploads to the affected plugin endpoints.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > The Novel Design Store Directory. If version is 4.3.0 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get noveldesign-store-directory --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 4.3.1 or later, or confirm plugin is completely removed from plugins directory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/noveldesign-store-directory/ upload endpoints
- Unusual file uploads to upload directories with executable extensions
Network Indicators:
- POST requests with file uploads to plugin-specific endpoints
- Subsequent requests to newly uploaded PHP files
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/noveldesign-store-directory/*" AND method="POST")