Shortcodes AnyWhere <= 1.0.1 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Shortcode Execution

The impact of CVE-2024-9581 is significant due to its ease of exploitation and the potential for widespread compromise. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious shortcodes into the WordPress site, leading to various consequences. This could include defacement of the website, injection of malware, theft of sensitive data (if the site handles user information), or even complete takeover of the server. The ability to execute arbitrary shortcodes effectively grants an attacker a high degree of control over the affected WordPress installation. The lack of authentication required further exacerbates the risk, as any external user can potentially trigger the vulnerability.

WordPress websites using the Shortcodes AnyWhere plugin, particularly those running versions prior to 1.0.1, are at risk. Shared hosting environments are particularly vulnerable, as they often have limited control over plugin updates and security configurations. Websites with publicly accessible shortcode functionality are also at higher risk.

• wordpress / composer / npm:

grep -r 'do_shortcode' /var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/shortcodes-anywhere/

• wordpress / composer / npm:

wp plugin list --status=inactive | grep shortcodes-anywhere

• wordpress / composer / npm:

curl -I http://your-wordpress-site.com/wp-content/plugins/shortcodes-anywhere/ | grep -i shortcodes-anywhere

1. 2024-10-10Disclosure

   disclosure

1. Reservado2024-10-07
2. Publicada2024-10-10
3. EPSS atualizado2026-04-02

The primary mitigation for CVE-2024-9581 is to upgrade the Shortcodes AnyWhere plugin to a patched version as soon as it becomes available. If immediate upgrading is not possible due to compatibility issues or breaking changes, consider temporarily disabling the Shortcodes AnyWhere plugin to prevent exploitation. While not a complete solution, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block suspicious shortcode execution patterns can provide an additional layer of defense. Regularly review WordPress plugin usage and remove any unused or outdated plugins to reduce the attack surface. After upgrading, confirm the fix by attempting to execute a known malicious shortcode – it should be blocked or produce an error.