CVE-2024-11977 is a code injection vulnerability classified under CWE-94 affecting the 'kk Star Ratings – Rate Post & Collect User Feedbacks' WordPress plugin developed by collizo4sky. The flaw exists because the plugin improperly controls the generation and execution of code via WordPress shortcodes. Specifically, it allows unauthenticated attackers to submit crafted input that is passed unchecked to the do_shortcode function, enabling arbitrary shortcode execution. This can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the WordPress site, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate site content, execute malicious scripts, or escalate privileges depending on the shortcodes available. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 5.4.10. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.3 indicates a high-severity issue with a network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a critical concern for WordPress site administrators using this plugin. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation.

The impact of CVE-2024-11977 is significant for organizations running WordPress sites with the vulnerable kk Star Ratings plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary shortcode execution, which may allow attackers to execute malicious code, alter website content, steal sensitive data, or disrupt site availability. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, it can be exploited remotely by any attacker scanning for vulnerable sites. This increases the risk of widespread automated attacks, defacements, data breaches, or use of the compromised site as a pivot point for further attacks within an organization’s network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous for organizations relying on WordPress for customer-facing websites, e-commerce, or content management, as it can damage reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance, and incur financial losses.

To mitigate CVE-2024-11977, organizations should immediately assess their WordPress installations for the presence of the kk Star Ratings plugin and its version. If the plugin is installed and unpatched, disable or remove it until a vendor patch is available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators can implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict access to the plugin’s shortcode execution endpoints using web application firewall (WAF) rules or IP whitelisting to block unauthenticated requests. 2) Employ input validation or sanitization at the web server or application firewall level to detect and block suspicious shortcode payloads. 3) Monitor web server logs for unusual shortcode execution patterns or unexpected POST requests targeting the plugin. 4) Harden WordPress installations by limiting plugin usage to trusted and actively maintained plugins only. 5) Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated regularly to reduce attack surface. 6) Consider running WordPress in a containerized or sandboxed environment to limit the impact of potential code execution. 7) Prepare incident response plans to quickly respond to any signs of exploitation. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling shortcode execution and access restrictions specific to this vulnerability.