CVE-2024-31282 Overview
CVE-2024-31282 is an open redirect vulnerability [CWE-601] affecting the Appcheap.Io App Builder plugin for WordPress. The flaw impacts all versions of App Builder from unspecified early releases through 3.8.7. Attackers can craft URLs that appear to originate from a trusted WordPress site but redirect victims to attacker-controlled destinations. The vulnerability requires user interaction, typically through a phishing link, and enables credential harvesting, malware delivery, and social engineering attacks that leverage the trust of the vulnerable domain.
Critical Impact
Attackers can abuse the trusted domain of a WordPress site running Appcheap App Builder to redirect visitors to malicious destinations, facilitating phishing and malware distribution campaigns.
Affected Products
- Appcheap.Io App Builder plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 3.8.7
- WordPress sites with the App Builder plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-04-10 - CVE-2024-31282 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-31282
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied redirect targets within the App Builder plugin. Open redirect flaws occur when an application accepts a URL parameter that controls navigation without verifying the destination against an allowlist of trusted hosts.
Attackers construct links pointing to the vulnerable WordPress site but include a redirect parameter that references an attacker-controlled domain. Victims see a familiar domain in the initial link and are more likely to click. The browser follows the server-side redirect to the malicious location.
Because the attack requires user interaction and exposes limited confidentiality and integrity impact, this is classified as a medium-severity issue. The scope change reflects the ability to move users from the trusted origin to an untrusted domain outside the application's security boundary.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing validation of redirect destinations in the App Builder plugin code. The plugin uses a URL parameter to determine where to send users after certain actions without confirming that the target host belongs to the site or an approved list of external destinations.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network without authentication. An attacker crafts a URL pointing to a vulnerable endpoint on the target WordPress site and appends a redirect parameter referencing a malicious domain. The attacker distributes the link through email, chat, or social media. When a victim clicks the link, the WordPress site issues an HTTP redirect to the attacker's destination.
Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for endpoint-specific technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-31282
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs showing requests to App Builder plugin endpoints containing redirect parameters with external URLs
- HTTP 301, 302, or 307 responses from the WordPress site pointing to domains outside the organization
- Referrer headers on external phishing domains showing the vulnerable WordPress site as the origin
- Spike in inbound traffic to specific plugin endpoints from email or messaging platforms
Detection Strategies
- Parse WordPress access logs for query strings containing http://, https://, or encoded URL schemes in redirect-related parameters
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that flags outbound redirects to hosts not on an internal allowlist
- Correlate email gateway telemetry with web logs to identify inbound phishing links referencing the WordPress domain
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose HTTP logging on the WordPress reverse proxy and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
- Alert on any 3xx redirects from the WordPress site to newly registered or low-reputation domains
- Track the App Builder plugin version across all managed WordPress instances to identify unpatched deployments
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-31282
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory WordPress sites and identify installations running Appcheap App Builder version 3.8.7 or earlier
- Update the App Builder plugin to a version later than 3.8.7 where available from the vendor
- Deploy WAF rules to block requests containing external URLs in App Builder redirect parameters until patching is complete
- Notify end users and internal help desk staff about the risk of phishing links leveraging the trusted domain
Patch Information
The issue affects App Builder through version 3.8.7. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest fixed version and vendor guidance. Apply plugin updates through the WordPress admin console or automated patch management tooling.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the App Builder plugin on affected WordPress sites until a patched version is installed
- Configure a reverse proxy or WAF to strip or validate redirect parameters against an allowlist of trusted destinations
- Add HTTP response header inspection to block outbound redirects to unapproved external domains
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
