CVE-2024-4898
Published: 12 June 2024
Summary
CVE-2024-4898 is a critical-severity Missing Authorization (CWE-862) vulnerability in Instawp Instawp Connect. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 0.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
The InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration plugin for WordPress is affected by CVE-2024-4898, a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in REST API handling that permits arbitrary option updates. All versions through 0.1.0.38 are impacted; the flaw carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 and was published on 12 June 2024.
Unauthenticated remote attackers can invoke the unprotected endpoints to connect a target site to the InstaWP API, modify any WordPress options, and provision new administrator accounts, resulting in full site takeover.
Public references from Wordfence and the plugin’s Trac repository document the affected code paths but do not detail specific patch versions or mitigation steps beyond the implication that versions after 0.1.0.38 address the issue.
EPSS currently stands at 0.9002 with a recorded peak of 0.9023, indicating sustained high exploitation interest since disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-44466
Vulnerability details
The InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary option updates due to a missing authorization checks on the REST API calls in all versions up to, and including, 0.1.0.38. This makes it…
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possible for unauthenticated attackers to connect the site to InstaWP API, edit arbitrary site options and create administrator accounts.
- 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.
Requiring an access control policy ensures authorization checks are defined and applied for critical functions.
Reviews of access controls detect missing authorization checks on critical functions or resources.
Documenting permitted unauthenticated actions prevents missing authorization by making all exceptions explicit and subject to organizational review.
Requiring attribute association with information prevents authorization from being performed without necessary security or privacy context.
Mandating authorization prior to allowing remote connections addresses missing authorization for remote access.
Mandating authorization before wireless connections are allowed prevents missing authorization for wireless access.
The control requires authorization before allowing mobile device connections, directly mitigating missing authorization for system access.
Requiring approvals for account creation and specifying authorizations ensures authorization is not missing for system access.