CVE-2024-7429 is an improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284) affecting the Zotpress plugin for WordPress, identified in all versions up to and including 7.3.12. The vulnerability stems from the Zotpress_process_accounts_AJAX function lacking a proper capability check, which allows authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to reset the plugin's settings without authorization. This flaw enables unauthorized modification of plugin configuration, potentially disrupting intended plugin behavior or causing misconfiguration. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and does not affect confidentiality or availability, but it compromises the integrity of the plugin's settings. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting low complexity of attack (AC:L), network attack vector (AV:N), and privileges required (PR:L). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. Zotpress is commonly used in academic and research environments to manage bibliographic data within WordPress sites, making this vulnerability particularly relevant to organizations relying on this plugin for content management. The absence of proper capability checks indicates a design oversight in access control enforcement within the plugin's AJAX handling functions.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-7429 is unauthorized modification of Zotpress plugin settings by users with Contributor-level access or higher. This can lead to misconfiguration of bibliographic data management, potentially disrupting workflows dependent on accurate citation management. While the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data or cause denial of service, the integrity compromise could affect academic, research, or publishing websites relying on Zotpress for citation accuracy. Attackers could reset plugin settings to defaults or malicious configurations, causing operational disruptions or loss of trust in content integrity. Since Contributor-level users are typically non-administrative content creators, this vulnerability expands their ability to affect site configuration beyond intended permissions, increasing insider threat risk. Organizations with multiple contributors or less stringent role management are at higher risk. The vulnerability's network accessibility and lack of user interaction requirement make it easier to exploit once an attacker has valid credentials. Although no exploits are known in the wild, the potential for misuse in collaborative environments is significant.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7429, organizations should immediately audit and restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only, minimizing the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. Implement strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and consider temporarily elevating the minimum required role for accessing Zotpress settings if feasible. Monitor logs for unusual AJAX requests targeting Zotpress_process_accounts_AJAX endpoints, especially those resulting in plugin setting changes. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block unauthorized attempts to modify plugin settings. Regularly back up plugin configurations to enable rapid restoration if unauthorized changes occur. Stay informed about Zotpress plugin updates and apply security patches promptly once released by the vendor. If possible, disable or limit AJAX functionality related to account processing until a patch is available. Additionally, educate content contributors about the risks of credential compromise and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access.