Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2024-13789 (ravpage WordPress Plugin PHP Object Injection)

This document outlines the remediation and mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-13789, a PHP Object Injection vulnerability found in the ravpage WordPress plugin.

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • CVE ID: CVE-2024-13789
  • Plugin: ravpage WordPress plugin
  • Affected Versions: All versions up to and including 2.31
  • Vulnerability Type: PHP Object Injection
  • Location: Deserialization of untrusted input from the paramsv2 parameter.
  • Description: The ravpage plugin deserializes data from the paramsv2 parameter without proper sanitization. This allows unauthenticated attackers to inject PHP objects. While the ravpage plugin itself doesn’t contain a known POP chain, the vulnerability becomes exploitable if another installed plugin or theme does contain a suitable POP chain.

2. Severity:

  • CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
  • CVSS Vector: Based on provided data, this calculation is based on specific attack vector, complexity, privileges required, user interaction and scope parameters that led to a high calculation.
  • Severity Level: Critical

3. Known Exploit(s):

  • Exploitation Status: While there’s no known POP chain present within the ravpage plugin itself, the vulnerability is exploitable if another plugin or theme with a suitable POP chain is installed on the WordPress instance. The specific impact depends entirely on the available POP chain. Possible impacts include:
    • Arbitrary file deletion.
    • Sensitive data retrieval.
    • Remote code execution (RCE).

4. Remediation Strategy:

The primary remediation is to update the ravpage plugin to a version that patches the vulnerability. Unfortunately, the provided information does not specify if there is a patched version available. Therefore, we will proceed based on a general strategy for unpatched vulns:

  • Immediate Action: Disable or Remove the Plugin: If possible, the most immediate and effective mitigation is to disable or completely remove the ravpage plugin from your WordPress installation. This eliminates the vulnerability altogether. Assess the impact of disabling/removing the plugin on your website functionality and user experience.

  • Monitor for Updates: Actively monitor the WordPress plugin repository or the plugin developer’s website for an updated version of ravpage that addresses CVE-2024-13789.

  • If an Update Exists: Upgrade Immediately: Once an updated version is available, upgrade the plugin to the latest version as quickly as possible. Test the upgraded plugin in a staging environment before deploying it to production to ensure compatibility and stability.

  • Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly scan your WordPress installation and all plugins/themes for vulnerabilities using a reputable WordPress security scanner (e.g., Wordfence, Sucuri SiteCheck, Patchstack).

5. Mitigation Strategy (If Update Unavailable or Delay is Unavoidable):

If an update to the ravpage plugin is not immediately available, or you need a temporary workaround before applying the update, consider the following mitigation steps:

  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules: Deploy or configure WAF rules to detect and block attempts to exploit the PHP Object Injection vulnerability through the paramsv2 parameter. A WAF can inspect incoming HTTP requests and block those that contain suspicious payloads attempting to exploit the vulnerability. You may need to craft a custom rule.
  • Code Review (Advanced): If you have the technical expertise, conduct a code review of the ravpage plugin to understand the specific code responsible for handling the paramsv2 parameter. Identify and attempt to patch the vulnerability directly. This is highly discouraged unless you are a skilled PHP developer and understand the security implications of your changes. Improper patching can introduce new vulnerabilities or break the plugin.
  • Monitor System Logs: Closely monitor your web server and WordPress application logs for any unusual activity, errors, or attempts to access the ravpage plugin with suspicious parameters. This can help you detect and respond to potential exploit attempts.
  • Hardening WordPress Security: Implement general WordPress security hardening measures to reduce the overall risk of exploitation:
    • Enforce strong passwords for all user accounts.
    • Limit user roles and permissions.
    • Disable file editing through the WordPress admin panel.
    • Regularly back up your WordPress installation and database.
  • Review other installed plugins: Check all other installed plugins and your theme for known POP chains. You might need to update or remove vulnerable plugins or themes that, in combination with ravpage, would lead to a successful exploit.

6. Testing and Validation:

  • After applying any remediation or mitigation measures, thoroughly test your WordPress installation to verify that the vulnerability has been effectively addressed and that no new issues have been introduced.
  • Use a penetration testing tool or a security researcher to validate the effectiveness of the fix.

7. Communication:

  • Communicate the vulnerability and remediation steps to all relevant stakeholders, including website administrators, developers, and security personnel.
  • Provide clear instructions on how to upgrade the plugin or implement the mitigation measures.

Disclaimer:

  • This remediation and mitigation strategy is based on the information provided and general security best practices. The specific steps required may vary depending on your specific environment and configuration.
  • Consult with security experts for personalized advice and assistance.
  • Applying these measures does not guarantee complete protection against all potential attacks. Continuously monitor and update your security posture to stay ahead of emerging threats.

This detailed explanation provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the CVE-2024-13789 vulnerability. Remember that the best approach is to update the plugin, but if that’s not possible, the mitigation strategies outlined here can help reduce the risk.