CVE-2024-31099 Overview
CVE-2024-31099 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the Averta Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme WordPress plugin (also known as auxin-elements). The flaw affects all versions from an unspecified initial release through 2.15.7. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can invoke plugin functionality that lacks proper capability checks, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on affected WordPress sites.
Critical Impact
A low-privileged authenticated user can exploit broken access control in the Phlox theme companion plugin to escalate privileges and impact site data across all three CIA properties.
Affected Products
- Averta Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme (auxin-elements) versions up to and including 2.15.7
- WordPress sites running the Phlox theme with the companion plugin installed
- Deployments with self-registration or multi-author configurations that grant low-privilege accounts
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-04-01 - CVE-2024-31099 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-31099
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a Broken Access Control / Missing Authorization issue in the auxin-elements plugin. The plugin exposes functionality accessible over the network to authenticated users but fails to verify that the calling user possesses the required WordPress capabilities. An attacker holding any authenticated session, including a low-privilege subscriber role, can invoke restricted actions.
Successful exploitation results in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This typically manifests as unauthorized data access, modification of plugin or site configuration, and potential privilege escalation paths that can pivot to full site takeover on WordPress installations that grant registration by default.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of current_user_can() capability checks and missing nonce validation on one or more plugin action handlers. Without these authorization gates, the plugin trusts any authenticated request. This class of defect is tracked as CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access and a valid low-privilege account on the target WordPress instance. No user interaction is needed. The attacker sends crafted HTTP(S) requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint (for example, admin-ajax.php action handlers registered by auxin-elements) with parameters that trigger the privileged operation. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for further technical context. No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-31099
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action parameters registered by the auxin-elements plugin originating from subscriber-level accounts.
- New or modified WordPress options, users, or plugin settings without a corresponding administrator session in the audit trail.
- Unusual spikes in authenticated traffic to plugin endpoints from a small number of low-privilege accounts.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress installations and enumerate the installed version of auxin-elements, flagging any instance at or below 2.15.7.
- Correlate web server access logs with WordPress user role data to identify low-privilege users invoking privileged plugin actions.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that alert on plugin AJAX actions triggered by non-administrative sessions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to record capability-sensitive operations such as user creation, option updates, and file uploads.
- Monitor for role changes and unexpected privilege elevation events on WordPress user accounts.
- Alert on outbound requests initiated by the WordPress host that were not observed prior to plugin exploitation attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-31099
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin to a version later than 2.15.7 as published on the WordPress plugin repository.
- Audit WordPress user accounts and remove or disable subscriber and low-privilege accounts that are not required.
- Review the WordPress Membership setting under Settings > General and disable open user registration if not required.
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for the vendor-supplied fixed version and remediation guidance. Update the plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or via WP-CLI to install the current release from Averta.
Workarounds
- Temporarily deactivate the auxin-elements plugin until it can be updated to a fixed release.
- Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php for unauthenticated and low-privilege sessions using a WAF policy that whitelists only required plugin actions.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication on all WordPress accounts and require strong password policies to reduce the value of low-privilege credential compromise.
# Update the vulnerable plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin update auxin-elements
wp plugin get auxin-elements --field=version
# Optional: deactivate until patched
wp plugin deactivate auxin-elements
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
