CVE-2024-8672
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to execute arbitrary code on WordPress servers through the Widget Options plugin. The plugin's display logic functionality passes user input directly to eval() without proper filtering, enabling remote code execution. All WordPress sites using Widget Options plugin versions up to 4.0.7 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Widget Options – The #1 WordPress Widget & Block Control 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 server compromise allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, deface websites, or use the server as part of a botnet.
Likely Case
Website defacement, data theft, installation of backdoors, or cryptocurrency mining malware deployment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls and network segmentation are in place, though code execution would still be possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires contributor-level WordPress access. Public proof-of-concept code exists in vulnerability references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 4.0.7
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 update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable plugin
linuxCompletely remove the Widget Options plugin from WordPress installation
rm -rf /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/widget-options/
Restrict user roles
allTemporarily restrict contributor-level access until patch is applied
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately disable Widget Options plugin in WordPress admin panel
- Implement strict network segmentation and monitor for suspicious eval() calls in server logs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Widget Options version 4.0.7 or earlierCheck Version:
grep -r "Version:" /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/widget-options/widget-options.phpVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Widget Options plugin version is higher than 4.0.7 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual eval() calls in PHP error logs
- Suspicious POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php with widget-options parameters
- Unexpected process execution from web server user
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from web server to suspicious IPs
- Unusual traffic patterns from WordPress admin interface
SIEM Query:
source="php_error.log" AND "eval()" AND "widget-options"🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/widget-options/trunk/includes/pagebuilders/beaver/beaver.php#L825
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/widget-options/trunk/includes/pagebuilders/elementor/render.php#L379
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/widget-options/trunk/includes/widgets/gutenberg/gutenberg-toolbar.php#L718
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3192921%40widget-options&new=3192921%40widget-options&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/8d03af4d-a1f9-4c15-a62e-f4cdbcfc9af7?source=cve
