CVE-2024-7094 is a critical vulnerability affecting the JS Help Desk – The Ultimate Help Desk & Support Plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability allows PHP code injection, leading to remote code execution in all versions up to and including 2.8.6 via the 'storeTheme' function. The root cause lies in the lack of sanitization on user-supplied values, which replace values in the style.php file. Furthermore, missing capability checks enable unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, posing significant risks.With a CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability is classified as critical. The potential impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks, making it imperative for organizations to act swiftly. A partial patch was introduced in version 2.8.6, addressing the code injection issue; however, full remediation was only achieved in version 2.8.7 with the addition of necessary authorization and CSRF protection.Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information and complete server compromise. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts, affecting the integrity of the web application and the data it handles.Given the severity of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Users of the JS Help Desk plugin must upgrade to version 2.8.7 or later to safeguard their environments from exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The JS Help Desk – The Ultimate Help Desk & Support Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Code Injection leading to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.6 via the 'storeTheme' function. This is due to a lack of sanitization on user-supplied values, which replace values in the style.php file, along with missing capability checks. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server. This issue was partially patched in 2.8.6 when the code injection issue was resolved, and fully patched in 2.8.7 when the missing authorization and cross-site request forgery protection was added.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating its critical nature. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction necessary. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2024-7094 stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization in the 'storeTheme' function of the JS Help Desk plugin, which allows user-supplied values to be directly inserted into the style.php file. This lack of proper checks exposes the server to potential code execution by unauthenticated users.The attack vector is network-based, meaning attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, as no advanced skills are required to trigger the vulnerability. Importantly, this vulnerability operates without requiring any user interaction, making it particularly dangerous.The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as attackers can execute arbitrary code on the server. This may lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and potentially complete server compromise.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations leveraging the JS Help Desk plugin face substantial risks due to this vulnerability. The potential for remote code execution allows attackers to take control of affected servers, access sensitive information, and manipulate data at will. Furthermore, the implications of such a breach can extend beyond immediate financial losses, potentially damaging an organization's reputation and eroding customer trust.Given the critical nature of CVE-2024-7094, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation based on their risk profiles. The high CVSS score indicates a significant likelihood of exploitation, particularly as awareness of the vulnerability grows. Organizations should also consider the blast radius of this vulnerability, as it may impact not only the affected plugin but also the broader application ecosystem.Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency of remediation is underscored by the potential consequences of inaction, including unauthorized access and long-term damage to system integrity.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions up to and including 2.8.6 are affected by this vulnerability. Users must upgrade to version 2.8.7 or later to mitigate risks associated with CVE-2024-7094.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 2.8.7 of the JS Help Desk plugin to remediate this vulnerability. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, consider implementing the following workarounds: - Implement strict input validation to sanitize user inputs. - Disable the plugin until an upgrade can be performed. - Monitor server logs for any suspicious activity.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor for the following indicators: - Unusual server behavior or performance degradation. - Unauthorized changes to files, particularly in the style.php file. - Logging of unexpected or unauthorized PHP execution.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-7094 highlights the ongoing challenges in securing web applications, particularly those relying on third-party plugins. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their plugin usage and ensure they are not exposing their environments to unnecessary risks.Implementing robust security practices, such as regular security assessments, can help identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Organizations should also consider integrating continuous security testing into their development and deployment processes to quickly identify and remediate vulnerabilities.For additional support in enhancing your security posture, consider leveraging our penetration testing services, which can help uncover and mitigate potential security risks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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