CVE-2024-7411 is an information exposure vulnerability classified under CWE-200, affecting all versions up to 4.9.9 of the Newsletters plugin developed by contrid for WordPress. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not prevent unauthenticated direct access to the file /vendor/mobiledetect/mobiledetectlib/export/exportToJSON.php. When accessed, this file discloses the full filesystem path of the web application. Full path disclosure can provide attackers with valuable information about the server environment, directory structure, and deployment specifics, which can be leveraged to facilitate further attacks such as local file inclusion, remote code execution, or privilege escalation if other vulnerabilities exist. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network. Despite the information disclosed not being sensitive on its own, it lowers the attacker's effort in reconnaissance and can increase the success rate of chained exploits. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting the limited direct impact but acknowledging the potential for aiding more severe attacks. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the issue is documented and published as of August 15, 2024. The vulnerability is relevant to any WordPress site using the contrid Newsletters plugin, which is a popular newsletter management tool integrated into WordPress environments.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-7411 is information disclosure, specifically revealing the full filesystem path of the web application to unauthenticated attackers. While this does not directly compromise sensitive data or system integrity, it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance information that can simplify the exploitation of other vulnerabilities. This can lead to increased risk of more severe attacks such as remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data breaches if combined with other flaws. For organizations, this means an elevated risk profile and a potentially easier attack vector for threat actors. The vulnerability affects all installations of the contrid Newsletters plugin up to version 4.9.9, which may be widely deployed across various industries relying on WordPress for content management and communications. The ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) increases the likelihood of scanning and exploitation attempts, especially by opportunistic attackers. However, since no direct damage occurs from this vulnerability alone, the impact is considered medium. Organizations that do not patch or mitigate this exposure may face increased risk of follow-on attacks, potentially leading to data loss, service disruption, or reputational damage.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7411, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately restrict direct access to the vulnerable PHP file (/vendor/mobiledetect/mobiledetectlib/export/exportToJSON.php) by configuring web server rules (e.g., .htaccess for Apache, location blocks for NGINX) to deny or restrict access to this path. 2) If possible, update the Newsletters plugin to a patched version once released by the vendor; monitor contrid and WordPress plugin repositories for updates. 3) Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block requests targeting the vulnerable exportToJSON.php endpoint or suspicious path disclosure attempts. 4) Conduct regular security scans and penetration tests focusing on information disclosure vulnerabilities to identify similar issues proactively. 5) Harden WordPress installations by disabling unnecessary plugin features and limiting file system exposure. 6) Monitor web server logs for repeated or anomalous access attempts to the vulnerable path to detect potential reconnaissance activity. 7) Educate development and operations teams about the risks of exposing internal paths and the importance of secure coding practices to prevent information leakage. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and proactive detection specific to this vulnerability.