CVE-2024-24849 Overview
CVE-2024-24849 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the Mark Stockton Quicksand Post Filter jQuery Plugin for WordPress. The issue impacts all versions of the plugin from n/a through 3.1.1. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-352] (Cross-Site Request Forgery) and requires user interaction to exploit. An attacker can trick an authenticated WordPress administrator into submitting a forged request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. Successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress installation.
Critical Impact
An authenticated administrator who visits an attacker-controlled page can have plugin settings or content modified without consent, leading to full compromise of the WordPress site.
Affected Products
- Mark Stockton Quicksand Post Filter jQuery Plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 3.1.1
- Vendor: developingtheweb
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-02-21 - CVE-2024-24849 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-24849
Vulnerability Analysis
The Quicksand Post Filter jQuery Plugin fails to validate the origin and authenticity of state-changing HTTP requests. The plugin does not enforce a valid CSRF nonce on administrative actions, which WordPress provides through the wp_nonce_field() and check_admin_referer() APIs. As a result, requests submitted from an external origin are processed by the plugin as if they originated from a legitimate authenticated session.
The vulnerability requires user interaction. An administrator must visit a page controlled by the attacker while authenticated to the target WordPress instance. Once triggered, the attacker can perform any action the plugin exposes to administrators.
The EPSS score of 0.214% reflects a low current likelihood of opportunistic exploitation, but CSRF flaws in WordPress plugins are routinely targeted in mass campaigns against unpatched sites.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing CSRF token validation on administrative request handlers in the plugin. WordPress provides nonce primitives specifically to prevent this class of issue, and the plugin does not invoke them before processing sensitive operations.
Attack Vector
The attack is delivered over the network through a crafted web page, email link, or malicious advertisement. The targeted administrator must be logged into the WordPress site at the time of interaction. The forged request executes in the administrator's browser context, inheriting their session cookies.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. Refer to the Patchstack CSRF Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-24849
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to Quicksand Post Filter plugin configuration in wp_options records
- HTTP POST requests to plugin administrative endpoints with Referer headers pointing to external domains
- Administrator session activity originating immediately after visits to untrusted external pages
- New or modified posts, taxonomies, or filter rules with no corresponding entry in administrator activity logs
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for POST requests to /wp-admin/ endpoints associated with the plugin where the Referer header is missing or off-domain
- Correlate WordPress audit log entries for administrator actions with browser history or proxy logs to identify forged submissions
- Alert on plugin settings changes that occur outside scheduled maintenance windows
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy a WordPress audit logging plugin to capture administrator-level configuration changes
- Forward web server and WordPress logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation
- Monitor outbound DNS and HTTP traffic from administrator workstations for connections to newly registered or low-reputation domains
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-24849
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations running the Quicksand Post Filter jQuery Plugin version 3.1.1 or earlier
- Disable or remove the plugin until a patched release is verified and installed
- Require administrators to log out of WordPress sessions before browsing untrusted sites
- Review recent administrator actions and plugin configuration changes for unauthorized modifications
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, no fixed version is listed in the CVE record. Consult the Patchstack CSRF Vulnerability Report and the WordPress plugin repository for the latest vendor guidance. Apply any vendor-supplied update that follows version 3.1.1 once available.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/ by source IP using web server or WAF rules
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks POST requests to plugin endpoints lacking a same-origin Referer header
- Enforce short administrator session lifetimes and require re-authentication for sensitive actions
- Use separate browsers or browser profiles for WordPress administration and general browsing
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
