CVE-2024-56000
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-56000 is an incorrect privilege assignment vulnerability in SeventhQueen's K Elements WordPress plugin that allows unauthenticated attackers to escalate privileges and take over administrator accounts. This affects all WordPress sites using K Elements plugin versions before 5.4.0. The vulnerability enables complete site compromise through privilege escalation.
💻 Affected Systems
- SeventhQueen K Elements 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
Complete site takeover where attackers gain administrator privileges, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, deface websites, and use the compromised site for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers gain administrative access to WordPress sites, modify content, install malicious plugins/themes, and potentially access sensitive user data.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and monitoring, impact is limited to the affected WordPress instance, but site integrity is still compromised.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires no authentication and minimal technical skill. Public proof-of-concept exists in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.4.0
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'K Elements' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 5.4.0+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable K Elements Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
wp plugin deactivate k-elements
Restrict WordPress Admin Access
linuxLimit access to WordPress admin interface to trusted IP addresses only
# Add to .htaccess for Apache:
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
# Or equivalent for nginx
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately disable the K Elements plugin via WordPress admin or command line
- Implement web application firewall rules to block privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → K Elements version number. If version is below 5.4.0, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get k-elements --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify K Elements plugin version is 5.4.0 or higher in WordPress admin panel. Test admin functionality remains working.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual admin user creation in WordPress logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin login from new IP
- Plugin file modifications in K Elements directory
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to K Elements admin-ajax.php or similar endpoints with privilege escalation parameters
- Unusual outbound connections from WordPress server after admin compromise
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("admin_user_created" OR "privilege_escalation" OR "k-elements")🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/articles/critical-privilege-escalation-patched-in-kleo-themes-plugin?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/k-elements/vulnerability/wordpress-k-elements-plugin-5-2-0-unauthenticated-account-takeover-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://themeforest.net/item/kleo-pro-community-focused-multipurpose-buddypress-theme/6776630?_s_id=cve
