CVE-2024-52485: WP Menu Image Authorization Bypass Flaw

CVE-2024-52485 Overview

CVE-2024-52485 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the WP Menu Image plugin developed by Yudiz Solutions Ltd. for WordPress. The flaw stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels, allowing unauthenticated network attackers to reach plugin functionality that should be restricted. The issue affects all versions of WP Menu Image up to and including 2.2. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-862] Missing Authorization and is documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can invoke protected plugin actions over the network, resulting in limited integrity and availability impact on affected WordPress sites.

Affected Products

Yudiz Solutions Ltd. WP Menu Image plugin for WordPress
All versions from unspecified initial release through 2.2
WordPress sites with the wp-menu-image plugin installed and activated

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-18 - CVE CVE-2024-52485 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-52485

Vulnerability Analysis

The WP Menu Image plugin exposes one or more actions without enforcing appropriate capability or nonce checks. WordPress plugins typically register handlers through admin-ajax.php, REST endpoints, or admin-post hooks. When these handlers omit current_user_can() verification or accept requests from wp_ajax_nopriv_ hooks, unauthenticated users gain access to functionality intended for administrators.

This missing authorization pattern allows an attacker to invoke plugin operations directly by sending crafted HTTP requests. The impact scope is limited to actions the plugin exposes, which in this case affects integrity and availability of menu image data rather than confidentiality. No user interaction or privileges are required to trigger the flaw.

Root Cause

The root cause is a broken access control implementation in the plugin request handlers. The code fails to validate whether the requesting user holds the required WordPress capability before performing the requested action. This maps to [CWE-862] Missing Authorization, where an authorization check is absent from a code path that performs sensitive operations.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends unauthenticated HTTP requests directly to the vulnerable plugin endpoint on a target WordPress site. Because the attack vector is network-based with low complexity and no authentication requirement, exploitation can be automated across large numbers of WordPress installations. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for endpoint-specific technical details.

No verified public exploit code is available for this vulnerability.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52485

Indicators of Compromise

Unauthenticated POST or GET requests to admin-ajax.php referencing WP Menu Image plugin actions.
Unexpected modifications to WordPress menu items, menu image metadata, or plugin option values.
Anomalous request patterns from a single IP targeting the wp-menu-image plugin endpoints.

Detection Strategies

Review web server access logs for requests to plugin handlers originating from unauthenticated sessions (no valid WordPress auth cookie).
Enable a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags missing-authorization patterns for known WordPress plugin CVEs.
Compare current plugin file hashes and WordPress database menu tables against known-good baselines.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest WordPress access logs and plugin audit trails into a centralized SIEM for correlation.
Alert on spikes of requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin-specific action parameters from unauthenticated sources.
Monitor for the installation of unexpected menu items or content changes that align with plugin functionality abuse.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52485

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the WP Menu Image plugin at version 2.2 or earlier.
Deactivate and remove the plugin if a patched version is not yet available or if it is no longer required.
Restrict access to /wp-admin/ and admin-ajax.php from untrusted networks where feasible.

Patch Information

At the time of publication, the Patchstack advisory is the authoritative reference for fix status. Administrators should upgrade to a version later than 2.2 once released by Yudiz Solutions Ltd. Verify plugin version metadata after upgrading and confirm patched handlers enforce capability checks.

Workarounds

Deploy virtual patching through a WordPress-aware WAF such as Patchstack, Wordfence, or Sucuri.
Use a plugin such as a capability manager to further restrict administrative endpoints where the plugin remains active.
Enforce IP allowlisting on the WordPress admin interface until a vendor patch is applied.

bash

# Example Apache rule to block unauthenticated access to the plugin action
<LocationMatch "/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php">
    SetEnvIfNoCase Request_URI "action=wp_menu_image" wp_menu_image_req
    Require all denied
    Require ip 203.0.113.0/24
</LocationMatch>