CVE-2024-13609 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting the 1 Click WordPress Migration Plugin, a tool designed to facilitate WordPress site backups and migrations. The flaw exists in the class-ocm-backup.php component, which handles backup operations. During the backup process, sensitive data such as usernames and password hashes are exposed and can be accessed by unauthenticated attackers. This exposure occurs because the plugin temporarily stores or transmits backup data insecurely, allowing attackers to retrieve this information within a narrow time window when the backup is in progress. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.1 of the plugin. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.9, reflecting a medium severity level with network attack vector, no privileges required, no user interaction, and high attack complexity due to timing constraints. The vulnerability compromises confidentiality but does not affect integrity or availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability poses a risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, potentially enabling attackers to harvest credential data that could be used for further attacks or unauthorized access.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-13609 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user credentials, specifically usernames and password hashes, from WordPress sites using the vulnerable plugin. This exposure can lead to credential compromise if attackers crack the hashes or use the usernames for targeted attacks such as credential stuffing or phishing. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect site integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can have cascading effects, including unauthorized access to administrative accounts, data theft, or site defacement. Organizations relying on this plugin for site migration or backup are at risk during backup operations, especially if backups are performed frequently or during high-traffic periods. The medium CVSS score reflects the challenge of exploiting the vulnerability due to the limited time window, but the lack of authentication requirements increases risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current exploitation, but the potential for future attacks remains. This vulnerability could be particularly impactful for organizations with sensitive or high-value WordPress sites, including e-commerce, media, and government sectors.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13609, organizations should immediately review their use of the 1 Click WordPress Migration Plugin and consider the following specific actions: 1) Temporarily disable or restrict access to the plugin during backup operations to prevent unauthorized access to backup data. 2) Implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of backup endpoints, ensuring only trusted IPs or users can access backup-related URLs. 3) Monitor web server logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to access backup files or class-ocm-backup.php during backup windows. 4) If possible, schedule backups during low-traffic periods and minimize the backup window duration to reduce exposure time. 5) Regularly update the plugin once a patch or secure version is released by the vendor. 6) Consider alternative migration or backup plugins with a stronger security posture until this vulnerability is resolved. 7) Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication on WordPress accounts to reduce the risk from exposed password hashes. 8) Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on backup and migration processes to detect similar issues. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls around the backup process and access restrictions.