CVE-2021-24191Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated arbitrary plugin installation via unchecked AJAX action

Published May 14, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper authorization in WP-Buy WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction before 1.8.2 allows remote authenticated users to install plugins. The cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback method in settings-start-index.php accepts an attacker-supplied slug or plugin file through admin-ajax.php without enforcing an adequate capability check. Any low-privileged WordPress account can install repository plugins, select vulnerable versions, or activate installed plugins; code execution requires chaining a plugin flaw.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.31%
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 WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction before 1.8.2 allows remote authenticated users to install plugins. The cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback method in settings-start-index.php accepts an attacker-supplied slug or plugin file through admin-ajax.php without enforcing an adequate capability check. Any low-privileged WordPress account can install repository plugins, select vulnerable versions, or activate installed plugins; code execution requires chaining a plugin flaw.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24191
Published
May 14, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
WP-Buy
Product
WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction
Classifications
CWE-285, T1505
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=1.8.2 <1.8.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

WP-Buy · WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Constructionversion=1.8.2 <1.8.2

Published CVSS scores

8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-285Improper Authorization
T1505Server Software Component

Public exploit references

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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