CVE-2024-54407
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in the CK and SyntaxHighlighter WordPress plugin allows attackers to trick authenticated administrators into performing actions that inject malicious scripts. When exploited, it leads to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. All WordPress sites using affected plugin versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- CK and SyntaxHighlighter 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, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers create fake admin interfaces or forms that trick logged-in administrators into executing malicious actions, leading to script injection.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF tokens and input validation, the vulnerability would be prevented even if administrators are tricked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires tricking an authenticated administrator but is technically simple once that condition is met.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.4.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find CK and SyntaxHighlighter. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 3.4.3+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ck-and-syntaxhighlighter
CSRF Protection via .htaccess
linuxAdd basic CSRF protection headers
Header set X-Frame-Options "DENY"
Header set Content-Security-Policy "frame-ancestors 'none'"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate XSS impact
- Use web application firewall (WAF) rules to block CSRF attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > CK and SyntaxHighlighter > Version. If version is 3.4.2 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get ck-and-syntaxhighlighter --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, confirm plugin version shows 3.4.3 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin-specific actions
- Multiple failed CSRF token validations
Network Indicators:
- Requests from unexpected referrers to admin endpoints
- Suspicious iframe or form submissions targeting plugin functions
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("ck-and-syntaxhighlighter" OR "admin-ajax.php") AND (POST AND NOT "_wpnonce")