CVE-2024-54279 Overview
CVE-2024-54279 is an information disclosure vulnerability in the Tobias Keller WP-NERD Toolkit plugin for WordPress. The flaw exposes sensitive system information to an unauthorized control sphere, classified under [CWE-497]. Affected versions include all releases from n/a through 1.1. Remote unauthenticated attackers can retrieve sensitive data over the network without user interaction. The vulnerability requires no privileges and has low attack complexity, making the affected information accessible to any network-based actor who can reach a vulnerable WordPress site.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can disclose sensitive system information from WordPress installations running WP-NERD Toolkit <= 1.1, supporting reconnaissance and follow-on attacks.
Affected Products
- Tobias Keller WP-NERD Toolkit (wp-nerd-toolkit) WordPress plugin
- All versions from n/a through 1.1
- WordPress sites with the plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-16 - CVE-2024-54279 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54279
Vulnerability Analysis
The WP-NERD Toolkit plugin discloses sensitive system information to actors that should not have access to it. [CWE-497] covers cases where an application makes internal configuration, environment, or diagnostic data reachable through endpoints that lack appropriate access controls. In this plugin, the exposed information is retrievable across the network without authentication and without user interaction. Attackers can use the disclosed data to fingerprint the host, enumerate installed software, and plan further intrusion steps against the WordPress site or its underlying infrastructure.
Root Cause
The plugin renders or returns system information without enforcing capability checks or authentication on the responsible request handler. Endpoints intended for administrative or diagnostic use are reachable by anonymous HTTP clients. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for the specific endpoint and parameter details.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends an HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint exposed by the WP-NERD Toolkit plugin on a target WordPress site. The server responds with sensitive system information that should be restricted to privileged users. No credentials, session, or user interaction are required. The disclosed data supports reconnaissance for subsequent attacks against the WordPress application, the hosting environment, or related services.
No verified public exploit code is available. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54279
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP GET requests to WP-NERD Toolkit plugin paths under /wp-content/plugins/wp-nerd-toolkit/.
- HTTP responses from the plugin containing server configuration, environment variables, or PHP/WordPress diagnostic output.
- Repeated access patterns to plugin endpoints originating from a single external IP performing reconnaissance.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress installations and identify any site running WP-NERD Toolkit <= 1.1.
- Review web server access logs for requests to plugin endpoints from non-administrative IP addresses.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag anonymous access to plugin handlers that return system metadata.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized log platform for correlation and historical search.
- Alert on response bodies returning keywords such as phpinfo, DB_PASSWORD, or environment variable patterns from plugin paths.
- Track outbound reconnaissance follow-up from IPs observed querying the vulnerable endpoint.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54279
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites with WP-NERD Toolkit installed and confirm the installed version.
- Deactivate and remove WP-NERD Toolkit <= 1.1 until a fixed release is verified by the maintainer.
- Rotate any credentials, API keys, or tokens that may have been exposed through the plugin output.
- Review web server access logs for prior unauthenticated access to plugin endpoints.
Patch Information
No fixed version is documented in the available references. The vulnerability affects WP-NERD Toolkit from n/a through 1.1. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory and the WordPress plugin repository for an updated release from the maintainer.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the WP-NERD Toolkit plugin until a patched version is released.
- Restrict access to /wp-content/plugins/wp-nerd-toolkit/ at the web server or WAF layer to administrative IPs only.
- Place WordPress administrative endpoints behind authentication proxies or IP allowlists.
- Apply virtual patching rules through a WAF to block anonymous requests to plugin handlers that return diagnostic data.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
