CVE-2024-9705 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the Ultimate Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin for WordPress developed by rstheme2017. The issue stems from the absence of a proper capability check in the 'ucsm_update_template_name_lite' function, which is responsible for updating the names of the plugin's templates. This flaw allows any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level privileges to modify template names without further authorization. Since WordPress roles such as Subscriber are typically assigned to low-privilege users, this vulnerability broadens the attack surface by enabling unauthorized data modification from less trusted users. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.0.9. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting the low impact on confidentiality and availability but a measurable impact on integrity. The attack vector is network-based, requiring authentication but no user interaction. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. This vulnerability could be leveraged to alter the plugin’s behavior or appearance, potentially facilitating further attacks or defacement.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-9705 is unauthorized modification of plugin template names, which affects data integrity. While this does not directly compromise sensitive information or system availability, it can undermine the trustworthiness and proper functioning of the affected WordPress site. Attackers with Subscriber-level access could manipulate templates to mislead site visitors or administrators, potentially enabling social engineering or facilitating more complex attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. For organizations relying on the Ultimate Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin to manage site maintenance or launch pages, this could disrupt planned communications or branding. The scope is limited to sites using this specific plugin version, but given WordPress’s widespread use, the potential reach is significant. The vulnerability requires authenticated access, limiting exploitation to users who already have some level of access, but Subscriber roles are commonly assigned to registered users, increasing risk in multi-user environments.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9705, organizations should immediately update the Ultimate Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict user roles to minimize Subscriber-level access or higher for untrusted users. Implementing strict role-based access control (RBAC) and auditing user permissions can reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, monitoring and logging changes to plugin templates can help detect unauthorized modifications early. Web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect unusual POST requests targeting the vulnerable function may provide temporary protection. Site administrators should also educate users about the risks of elevated privileges and review plugin usage to determine if alternative plugins with better security practices are available. Regular backups of site configurations and templates will aid in recovery if unauthorized changes occur.