CVE-2024-56013: Wovax IDX Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-56013 Overview

CVE-2024-56013 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the Wovax IDX plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.2.2. Attackers can bypass authentication through an alternate path or channel [CWE-288], enabling account takeover on affected WordPress sites. The vulnerability requires low-privilege network access and no user interaction, making it accessible to any authenticated user seeking to escalate privileges or hijack other accounts. Wovax IDX integrates real estate listing data (IDX) into WordPress sites, so exploitation can compromise sites operated by real estate brokerages and agents.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables account takeover, giving attackers full control over targeted user accounts and the ability to access, modify, or destroy site data.

Affected Products

Wovax IDX WordPress plugin versions up to and including 1.2.2
WordPress sites integrating IDX real estate listing data via this plugin
Any deployment where the plugin remains unpatched

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-16 - CVE-2024-56013 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-56013

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from an authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel, classified under [CWE-288]. The Wovax IDX plugin exposes a code path that authenticates or identifies users without enforcing the primary authentication checks required for privileged actions. Attackers can reach this alternate channel and assume the identity of another account, resulting in account takeover.

The attack is network-reachable and requires low complexity. Impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability because a taken-over account inherits the victim's full permissions on the WordPress site. Administrator-level takeover leads to full site compromise, including plugin installation, content manipulation, and pivoting into the underlying host through malicious PHP execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper enforcement of authentication on a secondary code path exposed by the plugin. Instead of validating credentials or session tokens through the standard WordPress authentication flow, the plugin trusts an alternate identifier that an attacker can supply or manipulate. This design flaw allows an attacker to authenticate as another user without knowing that user's password.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker with low privileges sends a crafted request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint over the network. The request abuses the alternate authentication channel to establish a session or perform actions as another user, including administrators. No user interaction is required from the victim.

No verified public proof-of-concept code has been released. Technical details are documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-56013

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected administrator or elevated-role logins in WordPress audit logs that do not correspond to legitimate user activity.
Creation of new administrator accounts, unexpected password resets, or changes to user email addresses on sites running Wovax IDX.
Unusual HTTP requests targeting Wovax IDX plugin endpoints from a low-privilege session followed by privileged actions.

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for requests to /wp-content/plugins/wovax-idx/ endpoints paired with rapid privilege changes.
Correlate WordPress user meta changes with the originating session and source IP to identify account impersonation.
Alert on any authenticated request that transitions a session from a subscriber-level role to an editor or administrator role without a standard admin login event.

Monitoring Recommendations

Deploy a WordPress activity log plugin and forward events to a centralized SIEM for correlation.
Monitor for installation of new plugins, themes, or PHP files following suspicious authentication events.
Track outbound connections from the WordPress host to unfamiliar IPs after user role changes, which may indicate post-takeover command-and-control activity.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-56013

Immediate Actions Required

Update Wovax IDX to a version later than 1.2.2 as soon as the vendor releases a patched build.
Audit all WordPress accounts for unauthorized administrator additions, email address changes, and recent password resets.
Rotate credentials and invalidate active sessions for all users on sites running vulnerable versions of the plugin.

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for vendor patch status and fixed version details. Apply the vendor-supplied update through the WordPress plugin manager once available.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the Wovax IDX plugin until a patched version is installed if the plugin is not business-critical.
Restrict access to /wp-admin/ and plugin endpoints using web application firewall (WAF) rules and IP allowlists.
Enforce multi-factor authentication for all privileged WordPress accounts to reduce the impact of account takeover.

bash

# Example WAF rule concept: block requests to the plugin path from unauthenticated or low-trust sources
# ModSecurity-style pseudocode
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@beginsWith /wp-content/plugins/wovax-idx/" \
    "id:1000010,phase:1,deny,status:403,log,msg:'Block Wovax IDX plugin access (CVE-2024-56013)'"