CVE-2024-38769: Arconix Shortcodes Authorization Bypass

CVE-2024-38769 Overview

CVE-2024-38769 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the Tyche Softwares Arconix Shortcodes plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up through 2.1.11 and allows unauthenticated attackers to access plugin functionality that should be restricted by Access Control Lists (ACLs). The issue was published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on November 1, 2024.

The vulnerability arises from broken access control on plugin endpoints. Because no authentication or capability check gates the affected functionality, attackers can invoke it directly over the network with low attack complexity.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can invoke restricted Arconix Shortcodes functionality across affected WordPress sites, resulting in low-level integrity impact on plugin data or configuration.

Affected Products

Tyche Softwares Arconix Shortcodes for WordPress
All versions from initial release through 2.1.11
WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed and activated

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-01 - CVE-2024-38769 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38769

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-38769 is a Broken Access Control weakness in the Arconix Shortcodes WordPress plugin. The plugin exposes functionality without verifying that the requester has appropriate privileges. WordPress plugins typically enforce access control using current_user_can() capability checks and nonce validation via check_ajax_referer() or wp_verify_nonce(). When these checks are missing on AJAX actions or admin-post handlers, any network client can trigger the underlying handler.

The vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction. An attacker only needs network reachability to a WordPress site running Arconix Shortcodes 2.1.11 or earlier. The impact is limited to integrity of plugin-controlled data or state, with no direct confidentiality or availability impact.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing authorization check on one or more plugin endpoints. The affected handlers accept requests without validating the caller's WordPress role or capability. According to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory, the flaw falls under CWE-862: Missing Authorization.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to the WordPress site's admin-ajax.php or plugin-registered REST/admin endpoints. Because no capability check is enforced, the plugin executes the requested action as if the caller were authorized. Exploitation does not require credentials, phishing, or chained bugs. The EPSS score is 0.381% as of September 22, 2026, indicating limited observed exploitation activity to date.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Patchstack advisory linked above for additional technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38769

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action parameters referencing Arconix Shortcodes handlers from unauthenticated sessions.
Modification of plugin-managed settings, shortcodes, or content without corresponding administrator login events in the WordPress audit trail.
Requests to plugin endpoints originating from IP addresses that have never authenticated to wp-login.php.

Detection Strategies

Inventory WordPress installations and identify sites running Arconix Shortcodes at version 2.1.11 or earlier via plugin metadata scans.
Correlate web server access logs with WordPress user session data to flag privileged actions performed without a valid authenticated session.
Deploy WordPress security plugins or a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags unauthenticated calls to plugin AJAX actions.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest WordPress access logs and application logs into a centralized SIEM for anomaly detection on plugin-related endpoints.
Alert on spikes in requests to admin-ajax.php where the action parameter matches Arconix handler names.
Baseline normal administrative activity for the plugin and alert on deviations, particularly changes made outside business hours or from unusual geographies.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38769

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running Arconix Shortcodes and confirm the installed version.
Update Arconix Shortcodes to a version later than 2.1.11 as soon as the vendor publishes a fixed release.
If a patched version is not yet available, deactivate and remove the plugin until a fix is released.
Review WordPress logs for signs of unauthorized invocations of plugin functionality prior to remediation.

Patch Information

The Patchstack advisory tracks this issue as a Broken Access Control vulnerability affecting Arconix Shortcodes through version 2.1.11. Administrators should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory and the plugin listing on WordPress.org for a patched release. Apply the update through the WordPress admin console or via wp-cli once available.

Workarounds

Deactivate the Arconix Shortcodes plugin until a patched version is installed.
Restrict access to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php at the WAF or reverse proxy layer for anonymous requests targeting Arconix action names.
Enforce IP allow-listing on the WordPress administration surface where feasible.
Apply a virtual patch through a WordPress security plugin that blocks the vulnerable endpoints for unauthenticated callers.

bash

# Example: identify and update Arconix Shortcodes using wp-cli
wp plugin list --name=arconix-shortcodes --fields=name,status,version
wp plugin update arconix-shortcodes

# If no patch is available, deactivate the plugin
wp plugin deactivate arconix-shortcodes