CVE-2024-11103 Overview
The Contest Gallery plugin for WordPress contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that enables unauthenticated attackers to take over arbitrary user accounts, including administrator accounts. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 24.0.7 and stems from improper user identity validation during password reset operations.
This authentication bypass flaw allows remote attackers to change any user's password without proper authorization, effectively granting complete account takeover capabilities. Given that WordPress administrator accounts have full control over the website, successful exploitation could lead to complete site compromise.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can reset passwords for any WordPress user, including administrators, enabling full site takeover without any prior authentication.
Affected Products
- Contest Gallery plugin for WordPress versions ≤ 24.0.7
- WordPress sites with Contest Gallery plugin installed
- All WordPress installations running vulnerable Contest Gallery versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-28 - CVE-2024-11103 published to NVD
- 2025-04-11 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-11103
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-640: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password. The Contest Gallery plugin implements a custom password reset mechanism through AJAX endpoints that fails to properly validate user identity before allowing password changes.
The vulnerable code path exists in the plugin's lost password and password reset AJAX handlers. When a password reset request is initiated, the plugin does not adequately verify that the requester is the legitimate account owner. This architectural flaw bypasses standard WordPress authentication controls, allowing any unauthenticated user to manipulate password reset requests for arbitrary accounts.
The attack can be executed entirely over the network without any user interaction, requires no prior privileges, and can target any user account on the vulnerable WordPress installation. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for sites with administrator accounts that could be targeted.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in the plugin's password recovery implementation within the AJAX handlers users-login-check-ajax-lost-password.php and users-login-check-ajax-password-reset.php. The plugin fails to implement proper identity verification mechanisms such as:
- Validating password reset tokens are bound to specific user sessions
- Verifying ownership of the email address receiving reset links
- Implementing proper nonce validation for password change requests
- Enforcing authentication state checks before processing password updates
This allows attackers to bypass the intended password recovery workflow and directly set new passwords for targeted accounts.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and can be executed by unauthenticated attackers against any WordPress site running vulnerable versions of the Contest Gallery plugin. The exploitation process involves:
- Identifying a WordPress installation using Contest Gallery plugin version 24.0.7 or earlier
- Crafting malicious requests to the vulnerable AJAX endpoints
- Manipulating the password reset flow to target an administrator account
- Setting a new password without proper authorization
- Logging in with the newly set credentials to gain full account access
The vulnerability requires no user interaction and can be automated for mass exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerable code paths are available in the WordPress Plugin AJAX Login Check and WordPress Plugin AJAX Password Reset source files.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-11103
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected password reset requests in WordPress logs targeting administrator accounts
- Multiple failed or successful login attempts from unfamiliar IP addresses
- Unusual AJAX requests to /wp-content/plugins/contest-gallery/ endpoints
- Administrator accounts with recently changed passwords without user initiation
- New unauthorized administrator accounts created after successful exploitation
Detection Strategies
- Monitor web server access logs for suspicious requests to Contest Gallery AJAX password reset endpoints
- Implement alerts for password changes on privileged accounts without corresponding password reset email confirmations
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious password reset request patterns
- Review WordPress audit logs for unauthorized privilege changes or account modifications
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for WordPress authentication events and plugin AJAX requests
- Configure SIEM alerts for bulk password reset attempts or sequential targeting of user accounts
- Monitor for unusual POST requests to users-login-check-ajax-lost-password.php and users-login-check-ajax-password-reset.php
- Track administrator account modifications and correlate with expected change management activities
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-11103
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Contest Gallery plugin to version 24.0.8 or later immediately
- Audit all WordPress user accounts for unauthorized password changes
- Reset passwords for all administrator accounts as a precautionary measure
- Review access logs for signs of exploitation prior to patching
- Consider temporarily disabling the Contest Gallery plugin if immediate update is not possible
Patch Information
The vulnerability has been fixed in Contest Gallery version 24.0.8. The patch implements proper user identity validation in the password reset flow, ensuring that only legitimate account owners can complete password changes. The security fix can be reviewed in the WordPress Change Set 24.0.8.
Additional details and technical analysis are available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.
Workarounds
- Temporarily disable the Contest Gallery plugin until patching is possible
- Implement WAF rules to block requests to vulnerable AJAX endpoints
- Restrict access to WordPress admin functions through IP whitelisting
- Enable two-factor authentication for all administrator accounts to add a secondary security layer
# Disable Contest Gallery plugin via WP-CLI until patch is applied
wp plugin deactivate contest-gallery
# After updating, verify the installed version
wp plugin get contest-gallery --field=version
# Should return 24.0.8 or higher
# Force password reset for all administrators
wp user reset-password $(wp user list --role=administrator --field=ID)
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
