CVE-2024-56071
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges in Simple Dashboard WordPress plugin, potentially gaining administrative access. It affects all Simple Dashboard plugin installations from unknown versions through 2.0. WordPress sites using this plugin are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Simple Dashboard 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 administrative privileges, can install backdoors, modify content, steal data, and compromise the entire WordPress installation.
Likely Case
Attackers gain elevated privileges to modify dashboard settings, access sensitive data, or install malicious plugins/themes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, network segmentation, and monitoring are in place to detect privilege escalation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires some level of initial access but privilege escalation is straightforward once initial foothold is achieved.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.0.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Simple Dashboard plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Plugin Deactivation
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate simple-dashboard
Access Restriction
allRestrict access to WordPress admin panel using IP whitelisting or web application firewall rules
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Simple Dashboard plugin completely from all WordPress installations
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Simple Dashboard → Version. If version is 2.0 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get simple-dashboard --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Simple Dashboard plugin version is 2.0.1 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege changes in WordPress user logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin access
- Plugin activation/deactivation logs for Simple Dashboard
Network Indicators:
- Unusual admin panel access patterns
- Multiple authentication requests from single IP
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="user_role_change" OR event="plugin_activated" OR event="failed_login")