CVE-2024-49312 Overview
CVE-2024-49312 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability [CWE-918] in the WisdmLabs Edwiser Bridge plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions of edwiser-bridge up to and including 3.0.7. Edwiser Bridge integrates WordPress with Moodle for learning management workflows. An unauthenticated attacker can coerce the vulnerable server to issue arbitrary HTTP requests to internal or external endpoints. This enables reconnaissance of internal network resources, interaction with cloud metadata services, and access to systems normally unreachable from the public internet.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can pivot through vulnerable WordPress sites to reach internal services, cloud metadata APIs, and other protected backend systems.
Affected Products
- WisdmLabs Edwiser Bridge plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 3.0.7
- WordPress installations with Moodle integration via Edwiser Bridge
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-17 - CVE-2024-49312 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49312
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in request-handling logic within the Edwiser Bridge plugin. The plugin accepts a URL parameter and issues an outbound HTTP request without validating the destination. Because the request originates from the WordPress host, it bypasses perimeter controls and reaches internal-only resources.
The scope is marked as changed, meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component. A successful request can target loopback addresses, RFC1918 ranges, link-local metadata endpoints such as 169.254.169.254, or any internal service reachable from the WordPress host. The confidentiality impact is high because response data and error signals leak internal topology, authentication tokens, or cloud instance credentials.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing destination validation [CWE-918]. The plugin does not enforce an allowlist of permitted hosts or schemes before dispatching the outbound request. It also fails to filter private, loopback, or link-local address ranges. No authentication is required, and no user interaction is needed to trigger the request.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the WordPress endpoint exposed by Edwiser Bridge. The request includes an attacker-controlled URL parameter pointing to an internal target. The WordPress server resolves the URL and issues the request on the attacker's behalf. Targets include cloud metadata services for credential theft, internal admin panels, container orchestration APIs, and unpatched internal applications.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report. No public exploit code is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49312
Indicators of Compromise
- Outbound HTTP requests from the WordPress host targeting RFC1918, loopback, or 169.254.169.254 addresses
- Unusual User-Agent strings associated with PHP wp_remote_get or curl originating from web server processes
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests to Edwiser Bridge endpoints with URL parameters pointing to internal hosts
- Cloud metadata API access from the WordPress host without corresponding administrative activity
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP request parameters reaching edwiser-bridge endpoints for URLs containing private IP ranges, localhost, or metadata service hostnames
- Correlate inbound requests to the plugin with outbound connections from the PHP worker process
- Apply web application firewall rules that block SSRF payloads targeting internal address spaces
- Baseline the normal outbound destinations from WordPress hosts and alert on deviations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable egress filtering and log all outbound connections from WordPress servers at the network layer
- Monitor cloud audit logs (AWS CloudTrail, Azure Activity Log, GCP Audit Logs) for unexpected metadata service access from web tier instances
- Forward web server and PHP error logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation
- Track Edwiser Bridge plugin version inventory across the WordPress estate
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49312
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations running Edwiser Bridge 3.0.7 or earlier
- Disable the plugin until a patched version is installed if the integration is not business-critical
- Restrict outbound network access from WordPress hosts to required Moodle endpoints only
- Block access from WordPress hosts to cloud metadata services using IMDSv2 enforcement or network policy
Patch Information
As of publication, the vulnerability affects Edwiser Bridge through version 3.0.7. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the WisdmLabs vendor channels for the latest fixed release. Upgrade to the most recent plugin version available through the WordPress plugin repository.
Workarounds
- Place the WordPress host behind a forward proxy that enforces an allowlist of permitted destinations
- Use host-level firewall rules to deny outbound traffic to RFC1918, loopback, and link-local ranges
- Require IMDSv2 with session tokens on AWS EC2 instances to defeat metadata theft via SSRF
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that inspects request parameters for internal IP literals and metadata hostnames
# Example iptables egress restriction for a WordPress host
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 169.254.169.254 -j DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 10.0.0.0/8 -j DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 172.16.0.0/12 -j DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 192.168.0.0/16 -j DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 127.0.0.0/8 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
