CVE-2024-9161: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in rankmath Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings
The Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'update_metadata' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.228. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to insert new and update existing metadata beginning with 'rank_math', and delete arbitrary existing user metadata and term metadata. Deleting existing usermeta can cause a loss of access to the administrator dashboard for any registered users, including Administrators.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2024-9161 is a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings WordPress plugin. The vulnerability exists because the 'update_metadata' function lacks proper capability checks, allowing unauthenticated attackers to insert new metadata, update existing metadata starting with 'rank_math', and delete arbitrary user and term metadata. This can lead to unauthorized modification of plugin data and potential loss of administrative access due to deletion of user metadata. The issue affects all versions up to and including 1.0.228. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity) with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and high availability impact.
Potential Impact
An attacker can modify or delete metadata related to the Rank Math SEO plugin without authentication. Deletion of user metadata can cause loss of access to the WordPress administrator dashboard for any registered user, including administrators, potentially disrupting site management and availability. There is no direct confidentiality impact reported. The vulnerability can cause integrity and availability issues within the affected WordPress environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict access to the WordPress installation and consider disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin version. Monitor official Rank Math communications for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
CVE-2024-9161: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in rankmath Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings
Description
The Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'update_metadata' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.228. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to insert new and update existing metadata beginning with 'rank_math', and delete arbitrary existing user metadata and term metadata. Deleting existing usermeta can cause a loss of access to the administrator dashboard for any registered users, including Administrators.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-9161 is a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings WordPress plugin. The vulnerability exists because the 'update_metadata' function lacks proper capability checks, allowing unauthenticated attackers to insert new metadata, update existing metadata starting with 'rank_math', and delete arbitrary user and term metadata. This can lead to unauthorized modification of plugin data and potential loss of administrative access due to deletion of user metadata. The issue affects all versions up to and including 1.0.228. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity) with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and high availability impact.
Potential Impact
An attacker can modify or delete metadata related to the Rank Math SEO plugin without authentication. Deletion of user metadata can cause loss of access to the WordPress administrator dashboard for any registered user, including administrators, potentially disrupting site management and availability. There is no direct confidentiality impact reported. The vulnerability can cause integrity and availability issues within the affected WordPress environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict access to the WordPress installation and consider disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin version. Monitor official Rank Math communications for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2024-09-24T18:07:48.981Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 699f6b41b7ef31ef0b54fc77
Added to database: 2/25/2026, 9:36:01 PM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 3:24:04 PM
Last updated: 4/11/2026, 11:50:22 AM
Views: 32
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.