CVE-2024-5551 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability identified in the WP STAGING Pro WordPress Backup Plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 5.6.0. The root cause is the absence or incorrect implementation of nonce validation on the 'sub' parameter, which is used in the plugin's backup and migration functionality. Nonces are security tokens designed to prevent CSRF attacks by ensuring that requests originate from legitimate users. Without proper nonce validation, attackers can craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator (via clicking a link or visiting a malicious page), cause the plugin to include local files ending with '-settings.php'. This file inclusion can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive configuration files, potentially exposing database credentials, API keys, or other critical data. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication but does require user interaction from an administrator, increasing the risk of exploitation in environments where administrators might be tricked into clicking malicious links. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflects high severity, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a significant risk for WordPress sites using this plugin. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases urgency for mitigation.

The impact of CVE-2024-5551 is substantial for organizations using the WP STAGING Pro plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive configuration files, compromising confidentiality by exposing database credentials and other secrets. Integrity may be affected if attackers leverage the vulnerability to manipulate backup or migration processes. Availability could also be impacted if malicious file inclusions disrupt normal plugin operations or site functionality. Since the attack requires an administrator to be tricked into clicking a malicious link, social engineering is a key factor, but the consequences of a successful attack can be severe, including full site compromise or data leakage. Organizations with high-value WordPress sites, especially those relying on this plugin for backup and migration, face increased risk of data breaches, regulatory non-compliance, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence in all versions up to 5.6.0 means a broad range of sites are potentially affected, amplifying the global risk.

To mitigate CVE-2024-5551, organizations should immediately verify if they are using the WP STAGING Pro plugin version 5.6.0 or earlier and plan to upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict administrative access to trusted networks and users to reduce exposure to social engineering attacks. 2) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the 'sub' parameter or unusual file inclusion attempts. 3) Educate administrators about the risks of clicking unsolicited links and encourage verification of URLs before interaction. 4) Disable or limit the plugin's backup and migration features temporarily if feasible until a patch is released. 5) Monitor server logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to include local files ending with '-settings.php'. 6) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of malicious scripts. 7) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice and help reduce the attack surface while awaiting an official fix.