CVE-2024-4355 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the WordPress plugin 'Block Bad Bots and Stop Bad Bots Crawlers and Spiders and Anti Spam Protection' developed by sminozzi. The issue stems from the stopbadbots_get_ajax_data() function lacking a proper capability check, which means that authenticated users with minimal privileges (subscriber-level or higher) can invoke this function to retrieve visitor data that should normally be restricted. This unauthorized access does not require elevated privileges beyond subscriber access, nor does it require user interaction beyond logging in. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 10.24. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, privileges required at low level, no user interaction, and limited impact confined to confidentiality loss. The flaw does not affect data integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been published at the time of disclosure. The vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to harvest visitor data, potentially aiding in reconnaissance or further targeted attacks. Since the plugin is widely used to block malicious bots and spam, the exposure of visitor data could undermine privacy and security measures on affected WordPress sites.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-4355 is unauthorized disclosure of visitor data from websites using the vulnerable plugin. This breach of confidentiality can lead to privacy violations, leakage of sensitive visitor information, and potentially facilitate further attacks such as targeted phishing or credential stuffing. Although the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or availability, the exposure of visitor data can damage organizational reputation and trust, especially for sites handling sensitive or personal information. Attackers with subscriber-level access, which is a common default role for registered users on many WordPress sites, can exploit this flaw without needing elevated privileges or complex attack methods. This broadens the attack surface significantly. Organizations relying on this plugin for bot and spam protection may find their defenses undermined if visitor data is exposed, as attackers could analyze visitor patterns or bypass security controls. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept code could emerge. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate risk but should not lead to complacency given the ease of exploitation and potential privacy implications.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4355, organizations should immediately audit user roles and permissions on WordPress sites using the affected plugin, minimizing subscriber-level access where possible. Restricting registration or converting subscriber roles to more restrictive custom roles can reduce exposure. Administrators should monitor logs for unusual AJAX requests to the stopbadbots_get_ajax_data() endpoint, which may indicate exploitation attempts. Until an official patch is released, consider temporarily disabling the plugin or replacing it with alternative bot and spam protection solutions that do not exhibit this vulnerability. If disabling is not feasible, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to restrict access to the vulnerable AJAX function only to trusted IPs or higher privilege users. Regularly check for updates from the plugin vendor and apply patches promptly once available. Additionally, educate site administrators about the risks of granting subscriber-level access and encourage strong authentication practices to limit unauthorized account creation or compromise. Employing security plugins that enforce capability checks and role management can also help prevent similar issues.