CVE-2021-24189Network attack vector

Arbitrary plugin installation via unauthorized AJAX callback

Published May 14, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper authorization in WP-Buy Captchinoo before 2.4 allows remote authenticated users to install and activate WordPress plugins. The cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback AJAX handler accepts plugin installation and activation requests from low-privileged accounts without an adequate authorization check. Subscriber-level access is sufficient; installing a deliberately vulnerable repository plugin can enable a follow-on compromise, including code execution.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.32%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper authorization in WP-Buy Captchinoo before 2.4 allows remote authenticated users to install and activate WordPress plugins. The cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback AJAX handler accepts plugin installation and activation requests from low-privileged accounts without an adequate authorization check. Subscriber-level access is sufficient; installing a deliberately vulnerable repository plugin can enable a follow-on compromise, including code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24189
Published
May 14, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
WP-Buy
Product
Captchinoo, admin login page protection with Google reCAPTCHA
Classifications
CWE-285, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 14, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.4 <2.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

WP-Buy · Captchinoo, admin login page protection with Google reCAPTCHAversion=2.4 <2.4

Published CVSS scores

8.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-285Improper Authorization
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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