CVE-2024-56251
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Event Espresso 4 Decaf, a WordPress plugin for event management. Attackers can trick authenticated administrators into performing unintended actions like changing settings or deleting events. All WordPress sites using Event Espresso 4 Decaf versions up to 5.0.28.decaf are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Event Espresso 4 Decaf 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
An attacker could trick an administrator into performing administrative actions like deleting all events, changing registration settings, or modifying plugin configurations, potentially disrupting event management operations.
Likely Case
Attackers could manipulate event settings, registration forms, or payment configurations, leading to data integrity issues or minor operational disruptions.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF protections and user awareness, the risk is minimal as it requires social engineering to trick authenticated users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires tricking an authenticated administrator into clicking a malicious link or visiting a compromised website while logged into WordPress.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 5.0.28.decaf
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Event Espresso 4 Decaf. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement CSRF Tokens Manually
allAdd CSRF protection to plugin forms by implementing nonce tokens in form submissions.
Requires custom PHP coding to add wp_nonce_field() to forms and verify with wp_verify_nonce()
Use Security Plugins
allInstall WordPress security plugins that provide CSRF protection features.
Install plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict administrative access to trusted networks only using firewall rules.
- Implement strict user awareness training about clicking unknown links while authenticated.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Event Espresso 4 Decaf > Version. If version is 5.0.28.decaf or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='Event Espresso 4 Decaf' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify version is higher than 5.0.28.decaf. Test administrative forms to ensure they include CSRF tokens.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual administrative actions from unexpected IP addresses
- Multiple failed nonce verification attempts in WordPress debug logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin endpoints without proper referrer headers
- Requests containing predictable parameter patterns
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("admin-ajax.php" OR "event-espresso") AND ("POST" OR "nonce_failure")