CVE-2024-56219
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WordPress Widget Options plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects WordPress sites using Widget Options plugin versions up to 4.0.6.1, potentially allowing unauthorized users to modify widget settings they shouldn't have access to.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Widget Options 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 modify critical widget configurations, inject malicious content, or disrupt website functionality for all visitors.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify widget settings, potentially changing displayed content or layout without proper permissions.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication, impact is limited to authorized users only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to the WordPress admin interface, but not necessarily full administrative privileges.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 4.0.6.1
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find Widget Options plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Widget Options Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate widget-options
Restrict Admin Access
allLimit WordPress admin access to trusted users only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and user role management in WordPress
- Monitor and audit widget configuration changes in WordPress admin logs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Widget Options versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get widget-options --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Widget Options plugin version is 4.0.6.2 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized widget configuration changes in WordPress logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by widget modifications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with widget-related parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("widget_options" OR "widget-options") AND ("update" OR "modify" OR "save")