CVE-2024-9846 Overview
CVE-2024-9846 affects the Enable Shortcodes inside Widgets, Comments and Experts plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 1.0.0. The plugin passes user-controlled input to the do_shortcode function without proper validation. Unauthenticated attackers can trigger this code path over the network to execute arbitrary WordPress shortcodes. The flaw is categorized under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary shortcodes on affected WordPress sites, enabling content injection, information disclosure, and abuse of any shortcode registered by other installed plugins or themes.
Affected Products
- Aftabhusain Enable Shortcodes inside Widgets, Comments and Experts plugin for WordPress
- All versions up to and including 1.0.0
- WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-30 - CVE-2024-9846 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-9846
Vulnerability Analysis
The plugin extends WordPress shortcode processing into widget, comment, and excerpt areas. To do this, it registers handlers that invoke the WordPress core do_shortcode function on content originating from request input. The plugin does not authenticate the caller, does not verify a nonce, and does not validate or sanitize the value before passing it to do_shortcode.
Because do_shortcode parses bracketed tags and dispatches them to registered shortcode callbacks, any shortcode exposed by WordPress core, the active theme, or other installed plugins becomes reachable. The blast radius depends on which shortcodes exist on the target site. Common consequences include rendering arbitrary content, leaking data exposed by reporting shortcodes, and triggering side effects implemented in third-party shortcode handlers.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper code generation control [CWE-94]. The plugin treats untrusted request data as trusted shortcode input. There is no capability check, no nonce verification, and no allow-list filtering of shortcode tags before do_shortcode is invoked. The vulnerable handler is visible in the plugin source at WordPress Plugin Trac.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the WordPress endpoint that exposes the vulnerable handler. The attacker embeds one or more shortcode tags in the request parameter that the plugin forwards to do_shortcode. WordPress expands the tags server-side and returns or stores the rendered output, depending on the calling context.
No user interaction is required, and the attack succeeds at low complexity over the network. Further technical detail is available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9846
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to WordPress endpoints containing unescaped [shortcode] bracket syntax in parameter values from unauthenticated sessions
- Unexpected rendered output or side effects originating from shortcodes such as [gallery], [embed], or third-party plugin shortcodes in contexts that should not process them
- Access log entries showing repeated POST or GET requests to the plugin's AJAX or REST handler at enable-shortcodes-inside-widgets-comments-experts.php
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress sites and flag any installation of the Enable Shortcodes inside Widgets, Comments and Experts plugin at version 1.0.0 or earlier
- Inspect web server access logs for requests containing URL-encoded shortcode patterns such as %5B and %5D from unauthenticated clients
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule that blocks bracket-delimited shortcode payloads in request parameters destined for the affected plugin handler
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress access and PHP error logs to a centralized logging platform and alert on shortcode patterns in unauthenticated requests
- Monitor outbound network connections from the web server for unexpected destinations that may indicate shortcode-driven data exfiltration
- Track plugin file integrity and alert on any modification to plugin source files or unexpected new shortcode registrations
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9846
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Enable Shortcodes inside Widgets, Comments and Experts plugin from all WordPress sites running version 1.0.0 or earlier
- Audit installed plugins and themes for high-impact shortcodes that could be abused if the vulnerable handler is reachable
- Review WordPress access logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts using shortcode payloads in unauthenticated requests
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the advisory. The plugin developer page is available at WordPress.org. Until a fixed release is published, administrators should remove the plugin rather than rely on configuration changes.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the plugin entirely if it is not essential to site functionality
- Apply WAF rules that block request parameters containing shortcode brackets to the plugin's endpoint
- Restrict access to wp-admin and AJAX endpoints by IP allow-list where operationally feasible
- Disable or unregister high-risk shortcodes through a must-use plugin until the affected plugin is removed
# Remove the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate enable-shortcodes-inside-widgetscomments-and-experts
wp plugin delete enable-shortcodes-inside-widgetscomments-and-experts
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
