CVE-2024-56266 Overview
CVE-2024-56266 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the Sonaar MP3 Audio Player for Music, Radio & Podcast WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all plugin versions from initial release through 5.8. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with low privileges to access functionality that is not properly constrained by access control lists (ACLs). Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress site. The issue is tracked under CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with minimal privileges can invoke restricted plugin functionality, potentially modifying plugin data and configurations on affected WordPress sites.
Affected Products
- Sonaar MP3 Audio Player for Music, Radio & Podcast plugin for WordPress
- All versions up to and including 5.8
- WordPress sites using the mp3-music-player-by-sonaar plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-02 - CVE-2024-56266 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-56266
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from the plugin exposing one or more endpoints or actions without enforcing proper authorization checks. In WordPress plugins, sensitive actions are typically guarded by capability checks such as current_user_can() and nonce verification via check_ajax_referer(). When these controls are missing or incomplete, any authenticated user, including subscriber-level accounts, can invoke privileged plugin functionality.
An attacker who registers a low-privilege account on a vulnerable WordPress site can send crafted requests to plugin endpoints. Because the plugin does not verify the caller's role or capabilities before executing the requested action, the request succeeds. The scope covers plugin configuration and content managed by the MP3 Audio Player, which can include playlist data, audio metadata, and plugin settings.
Root Cause
The root cause is a broken access control flaw classified as CWE-862: Missing Authorization. The plugin fails to enforce role-based authorization on protected functionality. Specific handler functions execute without validating that the caller possesses the required WordPress capability for the action being performed.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is remote over the network. The attacker requires low-privilege authenticated access to the target WordPress site, and no user interaction is needed. After authenticating, the attacker sends HTTP requests directly to the vulnerable plugin endpoints. See the Patchstack advisory for additional technical context.
No verified proof-of-concept code has been published. The vulnerability mechanism involves invoking plugin AJAX or REST endpoints that lack capability checks, allowing unauthorized state changes on the target site.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-56266
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to Sonaar MP3 Audio Player configuration, playlists, or audio metadata performed by low-privileged user accounts
- WordPress access logs showing subscriber or contributor accounts sending POST requests to admin-ajax.php with actions belonging to the mp3-music-player-by-sonaar plugin
- Newly created low-privilege user accounts followed by requests to plugin endpoints
Detection Strategies
- Audit WordPress user activity logs for HTTP requests targeting the plugin from accounts that lack administrative roles
- Compare current plugin settings against known-good backups to identify unauthorized modifications
- Deploy a WordPress security plugin or web application firewall that flags requests to plugin endpoints from users without the expected capabilities
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and REST API endpoints exposed by the plugin
- Monitor for privilege-mismatched activity, such as subscriber accounts issuing admin-oriented plugin actions
- Alert on new user registrations followed within minutes by requests to plugin functionality
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-56266
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Sonaar MP3 Audio Player for Music, Radio & Podcast plugin to a version later than 5.8 once available from the vendor
- Disable open user registration on the WordPress site if not required for business operations
- Review the plugin's user activity and revert any unauthorized configuration changes
- Audit existing WordPress accounts and remove any suspicious low-privilege users
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the Patchstack advisory indicates the vulnerability affects versions through 5.8. Administrators should consult the plugin's changelog on the WordPress plugin repository and apply the latest available release that addresses the missing authorization issue.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the mp3-music-player-by-sonaar plugin until a fixed release is installed if the plugin is not business-critical
- Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and plugin REST routes at the web application firewall for non-administrative accounts
- Set WordPress user registration default role to subscriber and use a WAF rule to block plugin AJAX actions from subscriber sessions
- Enforce strong authentication and consider requiring multi-factor authentication for all WordPress accounts to reduce the pool of usable low-privilege attackers
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
