CVE-2024-53803
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the WP Mailster WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Attackers can exploit incorrectly configured security levels to perform unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites running WP Mailster versions up to 1.8.16.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WP Mailster WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Wp Mailster by Wpmailster
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could gain administrative privileges, modify plugin settings, access sensitive email data, or compromise the entire WordPress installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify email settings, access subscriber lists, or manipulate email campaign configurations without proper authentication.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication mechanisms in place, only authorized administrators could perform sensitive operations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to the WordPress site, but the vulnerability allows privilege escalation beyond intended permissions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 1.8.16.0
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WP Mailster and click 'Update Now'. 4. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WP Mailster Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wp-mailster
Restrict Plugin Access
allUse WordPress roles and capabilities to restrict who can access WP Mailster functions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access the WordPress admin interface
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to WP Mailster functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WP Mailster version in WordPress admin under Plugins → Installed PluginsCheck Version:
wp plugin get wp-mailster --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WP Mailster version is greater than 1.8.16.0 and test access controls📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to WP Mailster admin pages
- Unexpected modifications to email settings or subscriber lists
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to /wp-admin/admin.php?page=wp-mailster endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin.php" AND uri_query CONTAINS "page=wp-mailster") AND user_agent NOT IN ["admin_user_agents"]