CVE-2024-10542 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

Q: What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: Remote Code Execution (RCE) in CleanTalk Plugin. 💥 **Consequences**: Attackers gain full control over the WordPress site. Total compromise of server integrity.

Q: Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **Root Cause**: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). 🔍 **Flaw**: The plugin fails to verify user permissions before executing critical functions, allowing unauthenticated access.

Q: Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

📦 **Affected**: WordPress Plugin: **Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk**. 📉 **Version**: **6.43.2 and earlier**. 🏢 **Vendor**: CleanTalk.

Q: What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

🔓 **Privileges**: Unauthenticated access. 💾 **Data**: Full read/write access. ⚡ **Action**: Hackers can execute arbitrary code, install malicious plugins, and steal sensitive site data.

Q: Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

📉 **Threshold**: **LOW**. 🔑 **Auth**: None required (Unauthenticated). ⚙️ **Config**: Low complexity (CVSS AC:L). Easy to exploit remotely.

Q: Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔥 **Exploit**: **YES**. 📂 **PoC**: Publicly available on GitHub (e.g., ubaii/CVE-2024-10542). 🌍 **Status**: Wild exploitation risk is high due to easy access.

Q: How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Scan for CleanTalk plugin version. 🛠️ **Tool**: Use WordPress security scanners or check plugin admin panel. 👀 **Indicator**: Version <= 6.43.2 is vulnerable.

Q: Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

✅ **Fixed**: **YES**. 🩹 **Patch**: Update to the latest version of the CleanTalk plugin. 📝 **Ref**: WordPress Trac shows fixes in later revisions (e.g., changeset 3179819).

Q: What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **Workaround**: If patching is delayed, **disable the plugin** immediately. 🔒 **Mitigate**: Restrict access to `wp-admin` via IP whitelist. Monitor logs for suspicious API calls.

Q: Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🚨 **Urgency**: **CRITICAL**. ⏱️ **Priority**: **Immediate Action Required**. 📢 **Reason**: Unauthenticated RCE with public PoC. High impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Updated May 08, 2026 CVSS 9.8 · Critical

This is a summary of the AI-generated 10-question deep analysis. The full version (longer answers, follow-up Q&A, related CVEs) requires login. Read the full analysis →

Q1What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: Remote Code Execution (RCE) in CleanTalk Plugin. <br>💥 **Consequences**: Attackers gain full control over the WordPress site. Total compromise of server integrity.

Q2Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **Root Cause**: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). <br>🔍 **Flaw**: The plugin fails to verify user permissions before executing critical functions, allowing unauthenticated access.

Q3Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

📦 **Affected**: WordPress Plugin: **Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk**. <br>📉 **Version**: **6.43.2 and earlier**. <br>🏢 **Vendor**: CleanTalk.

Q4What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

🔓 **Privileges**: Unauthenticated access. <br>💾 **Data**: Full read/write access. <br>⚡ **Action**: Hackers can execute arbitrary code, install malicious plugins, and steal sensitive site data.

Q5Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

📉 **Threshold**: **LOW**. <br>🔑 **Auth**: None required (Unauthenticated). <br>⚙️ **Config**: Low complexity (CVSS AC:L). Easy to exploit remotely.

Q6Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔥 **Exploit**: **YES**. <br>📂 **PoC**: Publicly available on GitHub (e.g., ubaii/CVE-2024-10542). <br>🌍 **Status**: Wild exploitation risk is high due to easy access.

Q7How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Scan for CleanTalk plugin version. <br>🛠️ **Tool**: Use WordPress security scanners or check plugin admin panel. <br>👀 **Indicator**: Version <= 6.43.2 is vulnerable.

Q8Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

✅ **Fixed**: **YES**. <br>🩹 **Patch**: Update to the latest version of the CleanTalk plugin. <br>📝 **Ref**: WordPress Trac shows fixes in later revisions (e.g., changeset 3179819).

Q9What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **Workaround**: If patching is delayed, **disable the plugin** immediately. <br>🔒 **Mitigate**: Restrict access to `wp-admin` via IP whitelist. Monitor logs for suspicious API calls.

Q10Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🚨 **Urgency**: **CRITICAL**. <br>⏱️ **Priority**: **Immediate Action Required**. <br>📢 **Reason**: Unauthenticated RCE with public PoC. High impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Continue exploring

Vulnerability detail Full AI analysis (login) cleantalk CWE-862