CVE-2024-31298: User Spam Remover Log Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2024-31298 Overview

CVE-2024-31298 is an Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability [CWE-532] affecting the Joel Hardi User Spam Remover plugin for WordPress. The flaw impacts all plugin versions up to and including 1.0. Unauthenticated remote attackers can retrieve sensitive data written to a log file accessible over the network. The issue results in confidentiality loss without requiring authentication or user interaction.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can access sensitive information exposed in plugin log files on affected WordPress sites running User Spam Remover versions through 1.0.

Affected Products

Joel Hardi User Spam Remover plugin for WordPress
All versions from n/a through 1.0
WordPress installations with the user-spam-remover plugin enabled

Discovery Timeline

2024-04-10 - CVE-2024-31298 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-31298

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from the User Spam Remover plugin writing sensitive information to a log file that remains accessible to unauthenticated network requests. The plugin does not restrict access to its log artifacts or sanitize what is recorded. An attacker who knows or guesses the log path can read its contents directly through HTTP requests. This results in disclosure of data the plugin processes during spam removal operations, which may include user identifiers and other request metadata.

The weakness is classified under [CWE-532]: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File. The attack vector is network-based and does not require privileges or user interaction. Only confidentiality is impacted; integrity and availability remain unaffected.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper handling of log output combined with missing access controls on the resulting log file. The plugin stores diagnostic or operational data in a location reachable by the web server without authentication checks. No version above 1.0 has been published to resolve the issue, and no patched release is referenced in the available advisory data.

Attack Vector

An attacker issues an unauthenticated HTTP GET request to the log file location exposed by the plugin. Because the log resides within the plugin directory served by WordPress, the web server returns its contents directly. Repeated polling allows the attacker to harvest sensitive entries as the plugin appends new records. No exploitation in the wild has been reported, and the EPSS score is 0.51%.

No verified proof-of-concept code is published. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details on the exposure path.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-31298

Indicators of Compromise

Unauthenticated HTTP GET requests targeting files under /wp-content/plugins/user-spam-remover/ with .log, .txt, or similar extensions
Repeated requests from a single source IP enumerating files inside the plugin directory
Web server access log entries returning HTTP 200 responses for plugin log artifacts

Detection Strategies

Audit WordPress installations for the presence of the user-spam-remover plugin and identify versions at or below 1.0
Inspect the plugin directory for world-readable log files and verify whether they are served by the web server
Review web server access logs for external requests to plugin-internal files that should not be public

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on direct requests to plugin subdirectories that return non-PHP content with successful status codes
Monitor outbound responses for sensitive patterns such as email addresses, IP addresses, or usernames originating from plugin paths
Track file creation and modification events within wp-content/plugins/user-spam-remover/ to identify active logging

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-31298

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate and remove the User Spam Remover plugin until a fixed version is published
Delete existing log files written by the plugin and rotate any credentials or tokens that may have been recorded
Block public HTTP access to the plugin directory at the web server or WAF layer

Patch Information

No fixed version is referenced in the available advisory data. The vulnerability affects all versions through 1.0. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation guidance and replace the plugin with a maintained alternative.

Workarounds

Restrict access to the plugin directory using web server rules that deny requests for .log and other non-PHP files
Move or remove log files generated by the plugin and prevent the web server from serving them
Apply a WordPress hardening configuration that blocks direct file access within wp-content/plugins/

bash

# Apache .htaccess example to block direct access to plugin log files
<FilesMatch "\.(log|txt)$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# Nginx equivalent
location ~* /wp-content/plugins/user-spam-remover/.*\.(log|txt)$ {
    deny all;
    return 403;
}