CVE-2024-1538
Published: 21 March 2024
Summary
CVE-2024-1538 is a high-severity CSRF (CWE-352) vulnerability in Filemanagerpro File Manager. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 9.3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
The File Manager plugin for WordPress is affected by a cross-site request forgery vulnerability (CWE-352) in all versions through 7.2.4. The flaw stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the wp_file_manager page when processing the lang parameter, which permits inclusion of local JavaScript files. The issue received a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 and was only partially addressed in 7.2.4 before being fully resolved in 7.2.5.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit the weakness by crafting a request that includes attacker-controlled local JavaScript, achieving remote code execution if they can socially engineer a site administrator into clicking a malicious link or performing another triggering action. The attack requires no authentication on the part of the attacker and leverages the administrator's authenticated session.
Advisories from Wordfence and the plugin's Trac changesets indicate that administrators should update immediately to version 7.2.5 or later; the referenced commits document the addition of proper nonce checks to prevent unauthorized file inclusion via the lang parameter.
The EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0578 with no material increase after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-17286
Vulnerability details
The File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 7.2.4. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the wp_file_manager page that includes files through the 'lang' parameter.…
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This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to include local JavaScript files that can be leveraged to achieve RCE via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link. This issue was partially patched in version 7.2.4, and fully patched in 7.2.5.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Awareness training educates users on avoiding untrusted links and actions that can be exploited via CSRF.
Requiring user re-entry of credentials for sensitive actions prevents automated forgery of requests without active user participation.
Security testing regimens explicitly include checks for missing or ineffective anti-CSRF protections in web applications.
Detects anomalous request patterns consistent with cross-site request forgery.