CVE-2024-6397 is an authentication bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-288, affecting the InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration WordPress plugin in all versions up to 0.1.0.44. The root cause is inadequate verification of the API key used for authentication, which allows attackers to bypass normal login procedures. By exploiting this flaw, an unauthenticated attacker who knows a valid username can gain unauthorized access to the WordPress site with the privileges of that user, including administrators. This enables a wide range of malicious activities such as installing backdoors, modifying content, stealing sensitive data, or disrupting site operations. Although version 0.1.0.44 partially addressed the issue, the vulnerability remains exploitable through Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), meaning an attacker can trick an authenticated user into executing unwanted actions without their consent. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating critical severity with network attack vector, no required privileges, no user interaction, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the ease of exploitation and potential damage make this a high-risk threat for WordPress sites using this plugin.

The impact of CVE-2024-6397 is severe for organizations running WordPress sites with the vulnerable InstaWP Connect plugin. Successful exploitation grants attackers administrative-level access without authentication, enabling them to fully control the site. This can lead to data breaches involving sensitive user information, defacement or deletion of website content, installation of malware or ransomware, and disruption of business operations. The ability to bypass authentication and perform administrative tasks undermines the trustworthiness and security posture of affected websites. For e-commerce, financial, healthcare, or government sites, such a compromise could result in significant financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Since WordPress powers a large portion of the web, the widespread use of this plugin increases the potential attack surface globally. The vulnerability’s exploitation via CSRF also raises risks from social engineering attacks targeting authenticated users.

To mitigate CVE-2024-6397, organizations should immediately update the InstaWP Connect plugin to the latest version once a fully patched release is available. Until then, consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin to eliminate the attack vector. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious API requests and CSRF attempts targeting the plugin endpoints. Enforce strict API key validation and rotate API keys regularly. Limit administrative access to trusted IP addresses where possible and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all WordPress admin accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Monitor logs for unusual login attempts or API usage patterns. Educate users about the risks of CSRF and encourage cautious behavior with links and forms from untrusted sources. Regularly audit installed plugins and remove any that are unnecessary or unsupported to minimize exposure.