CVE-2024-9234
Published: 11 October 2024
Summary
CVE-2024-9234 is a critical-severity Missing Authorization (CWE-862) vulnerability in Wordpress (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 0.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
The GutenKit – Page Builder Blocks, Patterns, and Templates for Gutenberg Block Editor plugin for WordPress contains a missing capability check in the install_and_activate_plugin_from_external function exposed by the install-active-plugin REST API endpoint. This flaw affects all versions through 2.1.0 and allows unauthenticated remote attackers to upload and activate arbitrary files presented as plugins.
An attacker can send a crafted request to the vulnerable endpoint to install and activate any plugin or to upload arbitrary files, resulting in code execution and full control over the WordPress site. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 and is tracked under CWE-862.
Public references indicate the flaw was addressed in version 2.1.1 by adding the required permission checks to ActivePluginData.php. The EPSS score has remained at its peak value of 0.9340 since disclosure with no material upward trajectory observed.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-49809
Vulnerability details
The GutenKit – Page Builder Blocks, Patterns, and Templates for Gutenberg Block Editor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to a missing capability check on the install_and_activate_plugin_from_external() function (install-active-plugin REST API endpoint) in all versions up…
more
to, and including, 2.1.0. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to install and activate arbitrary plugins, or utilize the functionality to upload arbitrary files spoofed like plugins.
- 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.