CVE-2024-54391 Overview
CVE-2024-54391 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the mattwalters WordPress Filter plugin (wordpress-filter) that enables Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.4.1. An attacker can craft a malicious request that, when triggered by an authenticated administrator, persists attacker-controlled JavaScript in the WordPress database. The stored payload then executes in the browser of any user who views the affected page. The weakness is tracked under CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery.
Critical Impact
A successful CSRF attack injects persistent JavaScript into the WordPress site, enabling session theft, administrator account takeover, and full site compromise through stored XSS.
Affected Products
- mattwalters WordPress Filter plugin (wordpress-filter)
- All versions from n/a through <= 1.4.1
- WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-16 - CVE-2024-54391 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54391
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability chains two distinct weaknesses. First, plugin endpoints that modify stored configuration lack anti-CSRF protections such as WordPress nonce verification. Second, user-supplied values processed through these endpoints are not sanitized or output-encoded before being rendered. Attackers exploit both gaps in sequence.
The attack requires user interaction. A logged-in administrator must visit an attacker-controlled page or click a malicious link. The browser automatically sends authenticated cookies with the forged request, allowing the attacker's payload to reach the vulnerable handler. Because the resulting XSS is stored, the payload persists and executes for every subsequent visitor to the affected page.
The scope-changed impact means a compromised plugin context can influence other parts of the WordPress site. Successful exploitation supports cookie theft, forced administrative actions, content tampering, and pivot to further compromise through plugin or theme installation.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of CSRF protection on state-changing requests combined with missing input sanitization and output escaping. The plugin does not validate wp_nonce tokens, nor does it apply functions such as sanitize_text_field() or esc_html() to filter-related parameters before storage and rendering.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a page containing a hidden form or fetch() request targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint on the victim's WordPress site. When an authenticated administrator visits the page, the browser submits the forged request. The plugin accepts the request, stores the malicious payload, and serves it back as executable script to future visitors. No exploit code is publicly available at the time of writing, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54391
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script> tags, onerror handlers, or encoded JavaScript stored in WordPress filter configuration records
- HTTP POST or GET requests to wordpress-filter plugin endpoints originating from external Referer headers
- Administrator sessions performing plugin configuration changes without a corresponding admin dashboard navigation pattern
- Outbound requests from administrator browsers to unknown domains shortly after viewing affected pages
Detection Strategies
- Inspect plugin-stored options and post metadata for HTML or JavaScript content where only plain text is expected
- Correlate web server access logs for state-changing requests to the plugin that lack a same-origin Referer
- Monitor browser-side errors and Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports indicating injected inline scripts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging for plugin option updates and review changes to wordpress-filter settings
- Alert on administrative actions performed outside expected business hours or from atypical IP addresses
- Forward web server, WAF, and WordPress audit logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation and retention
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54391
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the wordpress-filter plugin until a patched version is confirmed available
- Audit existing filter configuration records and remove any stored content containing HTML or JavaScript
- Force password resets and session invalidation for all WordPress administrator accounts
- Review installed plugins, themes, and administrative users for unauthorized additions made during the exposure window
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists affected versions as n/a through <= 1.4.1 with no fixed version explicitly noted. Monitor the Patchstack advisory and the plugin repository for an updated release. Upgrade as soon as a fixed version is published.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface using IP allowlisting or VPN-gated access
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule blocking requests to plugin endpoints that lack a valid wp_nonce and same-origin Referer
- Apply a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) that disallows inline scripts on WordPress admin and front-end pages
- Require administrators to use a dedicated browser profile for WordPress management to limit cross-site request exposure
# Configuration example - temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate wordpress-filter
wp plugin delete wordpress-filter
# Verify removal
wp plugin list --status=active | grep -i filter
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
