CVE-2024-53716
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in the wp auto top WordPress plugin allows attackers to trick authenticated administrators into performing actions that inject malicious scripts. When exploited, it leads to stored XSS where malicious scripts persist on the site. All WordPress sites using wp auto top version 2.9.3 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- wp auto top 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 inject persistent malicious scripts that steal admin credentials, deface websites, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or install backdoors.
Likely Case
Attackers create fake admin panels or forms that trick logged-in administrators into executing actions that inject malicious JavaScript into site content.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF protections and input validation, the attack chain would be blocked at the initial request stage.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to trick an authenticated administrator. The CSRF leads to stored XSS payload injection.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 2.9.3
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'wp auto top' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement CSRF Tokens Manually
WordPressAdd nonce verification to plugin forms and AJAX requests
Add wp_nonce_field() to forms and check with wp_verify_nonce()
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Deactivate and remove the wp auto top plugin immediately
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block CSRF attempts and XSS payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for wp auto top version 2.9.3 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=wp-auto-top --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 2.9.3 or plugin is completely removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin-specific endpoints without referrer headers
- Multiple failed nonce verification attempts in WordPress debug logs
Network Indicators:
- CSRF attack patterns with malicious JavaScript payloads in POST parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("wp_nonce" AND "failed") OR ("wp-auto-top" AND "admin-ajax")