CVE-2024-13639 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the Read More & Accordion WordPress plugin developed by edmonparker. The vulnerability exists in the expmDeleteData() function, which lacks proper capability checks to verify if the authenticated user has sufficient permissions to delete 'read more' posts. As a result, any authenticated user with Subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this flaw to delete arbitrary content managed by the plugin. This can lead to unauthorized modification and potential loss of data within the affected WordPress sites. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 3.4.2. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating medium severity, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N, meaning the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges (authenticated user), no user interaction, and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is significant because WordPress is widely used globally, and plugins like Read More & Accordion are common for content management. Attackers with low-level access can escalate their impact by deleting content, potentially disrupting site operations or causing reputational damage.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-13639 is unauthorized modification and deletion of content within WordPress sites using the Read More & Accordion plugin. While it does not compromise confidentiality or availability, the integrity of site content is at risk, which can lead to data loss and disruption of user experience. For organizations relying on this plugin for critical content presentation, this could result in operational challenges, loss of trust from site visitors, and potential financial implications if content must be restored or recreated. Since exploitation requires only Subscriber-level access, attackers who gain low-level credentials—through phishing, credential stuffing, or other means—can leverage this vulnerability to cause damage without needing administrative privileges. This broadens the attack surface and increases risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly impactful for high-traffic websites, e-commerce platforms, and organizations where content integrity is essential.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13639, organizations should first check if an updated plugin version addressing this vulnerability has been released and apply it promptly. In the absence of an official patch, administrators can implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict Subscriber-level user permissions by auditing and minimizing the number of users with such access; 2) Employ WordPress security plugins or custom code to enforce capability checks on the expmDeleteData() function or override it to include proper authorization; 3) Monitor logs for unusual deletion activities related to the plugin’s content; 4) Use web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable function; 5) Educate users to prevent credential compromise, reducing the risk of attackers gaining authenticated access; 6) Regularly back up site content to enable quick restoration in case of unauthorized deletions; 7) Consider disabling or replacing the Read More & Accordion plugin with alternatives that have verified secure authorization controls if immediate patching is not feasible. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice and address the specific nature of this vulnerability.