CVE-2024-6499 is a CWE-200 classified vulnerability affecting the MaxButtons plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 9.7.8. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to obtain the full filesystem path of the WordPress installation by exploiting improper information disclosure mechanisms within the plugin. This exposure occurs because the plugin reveals internal path information in its responses, which should normally be concealed. Although the vulnerability does not directly allow code execution, data modification, or denial of service, the disclosed path information can be leveraged during the reconnaissance phase of an attack. Attackers can use this data to tailor subsequent attacks, such as local file inclusion, path traversal, or privilege escalation exploits, especially if other vulnerabilities exist on the same system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity due to the vulnerability's ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) but limited direct impact on confidentiality, integrity, or availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no active exploitation has been reported. The vulnerability affects all versions of the MaxButtons plugin prior to 9.7.9, which is widely used on WordPress sites for button creation and management.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-6499 is the exposure of sensitive internal information, specifically the full filesystem path of the WordPress installation. While this does not immediately compromise sensitive data or system integrity, it lowers the attacker's effort and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities by providing precise environmental details. Organizations running WordPress sites with the MaxButtons plugin are at risk of enhanced reconnaissance by attackers, which can lead to targeted attacks such as privilege escalation, code injection, or data theft if additional vulnerabilities are present. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of security but does not impact integrity or availability directly. The ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) increases the threat level, especially for publicly accessible WordPress sites. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk, but the vulnerability could be weaponized in the future, particularly against high-value targets or sites with poor overall security hygiene.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from the MaxButtons plugin vendor and apply them promptly once available. 2. In the interim, restrict access to plugin files and directories using web server configuration rules (e.g., .htaccess for Apache or location blocks for NGINX) to prevent unauthenticated access to sensitive plugin endpoints. 3. Employ a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block suspicious requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability or enumerate plugin paths. 4. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans on WordPress installations to identify and remediate other potential vulnerabilities that could be chained with this information exposure. 5. Limit the exposure of WordPress admin and plugin directories by implementing IP whitelisting or VPN access where feasible. 6. Educate site administrators on the importance of minimizing installed plugins and removing unused or outdated plugins to reduce the attack surface. 7. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or repeated requests targeting the MaxButtons plugin endpoints to detect reconnaissance activity early.