CVE-2024-53777
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in the Simple Header and Footer WordPress plugin allows attackers to trick authenticated administrators into executing malicious actions without their consent, leading to stored cross-site scripting (XSS). Attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in users' browsers when they visit affected pages. All WordPress sites using Simple Header and Footer version 1.0.0 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Simple Header and Footer 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 administrator credentials, deface websites, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or install backdoors for further compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers create fake admin interfaces or forms that trick logged-in administrators into executing actions that inject malicious JavaScript into website headers/footers, affecting all visitors.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF tokens and input validation, the attack would fail as unauthorized requests would be rejected before any script injection occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires tricking an authenticated administrator into clicking a malicious link or visiting a compromised page while logged into WordPress.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Simple Header and Footer'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install the latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Simple Header and Footer plugin until patched
Implement CSRF Protection
allAdd custom CSRF tokens to plugin forms if you have development capabilities
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict plugin access to trusted administrators only and implement strict access controls
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with CSRF and XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins, find Simple Header and Footer and verify version is 1.0.0 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name='simple-header-and-footer' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.0.1 or later in WordPress admin plugins list📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin/admin.php?page=simple-header-and-footer
- Multiple failed CSRF validation attempts
- Unexpected modifications to header/footer content
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious referrer headers in admin requests
- Unexpected JavaScript injection in HTTP responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("simple-header-and-footer" OR "admin.php?page=simple-header-and-footer") AND (status=200 OR status=302)