CVE-2024-54440 Overview
CVE-2024-54440 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the blueskyy WP-Ban-User WordPress plugin that chains into Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The flaw affects WP-Ban-User versions up to and including 1.0. An attacker can craft a malicious request that, when triggered by an authenticated administrator, injects persistent JavaScript into the plugin's stored data. The injected payload then executes in the browser of any user who views the affected administrative page.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in administrator sessions, leading to account takeover, privilege abuse, and persistent backdoor implantation in WordPress installations.
Affected Products
- blueskyy WP-Ban-User plugin for WordPress
- WP-Ban-User versions from n/a through 1.0
- WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-16 - CVE-2024-54440 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54440
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability combines two weaknesses into a single exploitation chain. The plugin's state-changing endpoints lack a valid anti-CSRF token check, classified as [CWE-352]. This omission allows an attacker-controlled page to submit forged requests on behalf of an authenticated WordPress administrator.
The second weakness is missing output encoding or input sanitization on data persisted by the plugin. When the forged request reaches the WordPress backend, attacker-supplied input is written to the database without neutralization. The stored payload later renders inside the WordPress admin interface, executing as JavaScript in the administrator's authenticated session.
The chain requires user interaction, since an administrator must visit the attacker's crafted page while logged in. The scope is changed because injected scripts execute under the WordPress admin origin, beyond the initial CSRF boundary.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of WordPress nonce verification on plugin form handlers, paired with insufficient sanitization of stored values. WordPress provides wp_nonce_field() and check_admin_referer() for CSRF protection, and sanitize_text_field() or esc_html() for output safety. The vulnerable WP-Ban-User 1.0 release does not enforce these controls on its administrative actions.
Attack Vector
Exploitation proceeds remotely over the network with low complexity and no prior authentication. The attacker hosts a webpage containing an auto-submitting form or an XMLHttpRequest targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint. A logged-in WordPress administrator visiting the page triggers the forged request. The plugin stores the malicious payload, which executes whenever an admin loads the affected page.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this issue. Technical details are documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54440
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script> tags or JavaScript event handlers stored in WP-Ban-User plugin options or related WordPress database tables
- Administrative actions in WordPress audit logs that lack a corresponding referer or originate from external domains
- New WordPress administrator accounts, modified user roles, or unauthorized plugin installations following admin sessions
- Outbound requests from admin browsers to attacker-controlled domains shortly after visiting the WordPress dashboard
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress instances and flag any running the WP-Ban-User plugin at version 1.0 or earlier
- Inspect plugin-related entries in wp_options and metadata tables for HTML or JavaScript content where plain text is expected
- Review WordPress access logs for POST requests to plugin endpoints with missing or invalid _wpnonce parameters
- Use a web application firewall to log requests matching common CSRF and XSS payload patterns targeting plugin URIs
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging plugins to record administrative configuration changes with source IP and referer
- Monitor for anomalous admin session activity, including configuration updates immediately after external page visits
- Alert on creation of new privileged users or modification of existing roles outside of approved change windows
- Correlate browser telemetry from administrator endpoints with WordPress server logs to identify CSRF triggers
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54440
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the WP-Ban-User plugin until a patched version is confirmed available from the vendor
- Audit WordPress administrator accounts, sessions, and recently modified plugin or theme files for signs of compromise
- Force a password reset for all WordPress administrators and invalidate active sessions
- Restrict access to the /wp-admin/ path by source IP where operationally feasible
Patch Information
No fixed version is identified in the available advisory data. The vulnerability affects WP-Ban-User releases up to and including 1.0. Administrators should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the WordPress plugin repository for an updated release before reinstalling.
Workarounds
- Remove the plugin entirely and use an actively maintained alternative for user-ban functionality
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that requires a valid Referer header and WordPress nonce on plugin endpoints
- Train administrators to log out of WordPress before browsing untrusted sites and to use a dedicated browser profile for admin tasks
- Apply Content Security Policy headers that restrict inline script execution in the WordPress admin interface
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
