CVE-2024-5021 Overview
The WordPress Picture / Portfolio / Media Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.1 via the file_get_contents function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to make web requests to arbitrary locations originating from the web application and can be used to query and modify information from internal services.
Critical Impact
This vulnerability allows attackers to initiate unauthorized requests from the server, potentially leading to data exposure and manipulation.
Affected Products
- WordPress Picture / Portfolio / Media Gallery plugin up to 3.0.1
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-19 - CVE CVE-2024-5021 published to NVD
- 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-5021
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of URLs in the file_get_contents function, which does not properly validate the source of the request.
Root Cause
The root cause is the lack of validation and sanitation in accepting input URLs for the file_get_contents function, leading to potential unauthorized network requests.
Attack Vector
This is a network-based attack vector allowing remote execution of unauthorized requests from the affected host.
// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
$url = $_GET['url'];
$response = file_get_contents($url);
echo $response;
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-5021
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected outbound network traffic
- Logs indicating access to local network resources
- HTTP GET requests with suspicious parameters
Detection Strategies
Implement network monitoring to detect unusual request patterns, particularly those involving direct access to internal IP addresses.
Monitoring Recommendations
Regularly inspect firewall and web server logs for anomalies indicating exploitation attempts or successful exploitation.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-5021
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable the plugin until patched
- Use web application firewalls to block malicious requests
- Review network configurations for exposure
Patch Information
Await official patches from the WordPress plugin maintainers. No patch was available at the time of the last update.
Workarounds
Restrict network traffic using internal firewall rules to prevent external access to sensitive resources.
# Configuration example
iptables -A OUTPUT -d <internal_ip> -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
