CVE-2024-56280 Overview
CVE-2024-56280 is an Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in the AmentoTech WPGuppy (wpguppy-lite) WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.1.0. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can escalate to a higher-privileged role, gaining control over affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with low-level access can escalate privileges on the WordPress site, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- AmentoTech WPGuppy (wpguppy-lite) plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 1.1.0
- WordPress installations with the WPGuppy Lite plugin enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-07 - CVE-2024-56280 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-56280
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from incorrect privilege assignment logic within the WPGuppy Lite plugin. The plugin fails to properly enforce role-based access controls when performing sensitive operations. An authenticated attacker holding a low-privileged WordPress account (for example, a subscriber) can invoke functionality that assigns elevated privileges to their user context.
Once escalated, the attacker inherits administrative capabilities on the WordPress site. This enables arbitrary plugin installation, content modification, database access via the admin interface, and potential remote code execution through WordPress administrative features. According to the EPSS data (0.406% probability), active exploitation attempts have not yet been widely observed.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper privilege assignment ([CWE-266]) in the plugin's request-handling code. The plugin likely trusts user-supplied input or lacks proper capability checks (current_user_can()) before performing role or capability changes. This design flaw allows any authenticated user to trigger the privilege escalation path.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires low-privileged authentication. No user interaction is required. An attacker registers or compromises a low-privileged WordPress account, then sends a crafted request to the vulnerable endpoint exposed by wpguppy-lite. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability. The exploitation mechanism follows the general pattern of WordPress plugin privilege escalation flaws: an authenticated request to a plugin endpoint that lacks a capability check results in the caller's role being modified.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-56280
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected role changes for existing WordPress user accounts, particularly subscribers or contributors being promoted to editor or administrator
- Newly created administrator accounts with no corresponding audit trail
- POST requests to wpguppy-lite plugin endpoints originating from low-privileged user sessions
- Installation of unfamiliar plugins or themes following authenticated activity from a non-admin user
Detection Strategies
- Monitor the WordPress wp_usermeta table for unexpected changes to the wp_capabilities field
- Enable WordPress audit logging (via a security plugin) to record role and capability modifications
- Review web server access logs for requests to wpguppy-lite AJAX or REST endpoints followed by administrative activity from the same session
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on any role escalation event in WordPress, correlating source IP and user agent to the pre-escalation account
- Track plugin file changes and administrator user creation events in real time
- Ingest WordPress and web server logs into a centralized SIEM for correlation across authentication and privilege events
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-56280
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the WPGuppy Lite plugin to a version later than 1.1.0 once a patched release is available from AmentoTech
- Audit all WordPress user accounts and remove any unauthorized administrators or elevated roles
- Rotate credentials for all WordPress accounts, especially administrator accounts
- Restrict new user registration if not required for site operation
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the vulnerability affects WPGuppy Lite through version 1.1.0. Refer to the Patchstack advisory and the AmentoTech plugin repository for the latest patched release.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the WPGuppy Lite plugin until a patched version is confirmed installed
- Disable open user registration in WordPress general settings to reduce the attacker's ability to obtain a low-privileged account
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block requests to known vulnerable wpguppy-lite endpoints from low-privileged sessions
- Enforce the principle of least privilege for all existing WordPress accounts and remove unused subscriber or contributor accounts
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
