CVE-2024-9930
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication in the Extensions by HocWP Team WordPress plugin. Attackers can log in as any existing user, including administrators, by exploiting missing validation in the 'verify_email' action. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Extensions by HocWP Team 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 access, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, deface the site, or use it for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers gain administrative privileges and compromise the WordPress installation, potentially leading to data theft, malware injection, or site defacement.
If Mitigated
With proper monitoring and detection, unauthorized access attempts can be identified and blocked before significant damage occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is simple to exploit with publicly available technical details. No authentication required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 0.2.3.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/sb-core/trunk/ext/account.php?rev=2715527#L374
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Extensions by HocWP Team'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 0.2.3.3+ from WordPress.org and replace the plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable the plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate sb-core
Block vulnerable endpoint
linuxUse web application firewall or .htaccess to block access to the vulnerable action
RewriteEngine On\nRewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} action=verify_email [NC]\nRewriteRule ^ - [F]
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate the Extensions by HocWP Team plugin
- Implement strict network monitoring for unauthorized authentication attempts and suspicious admin activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Extensions by HocWP Team' version 0.2.3.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name='Extensions by HocWP Team' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 0.2.3.3 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual authentication events from unexpected IP addresses
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin login
- POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with 'action=verify_email' parameter
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests containing 'verify_email' action parameter
- Unusual spikes in admin area traffic from new IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("action=verify_email" OR "admin-ajax.php" AND "verify_email")