📄 Description (English)
The The BuddyPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 14.3.3. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2024-11976 is a critical vulnerability in BuddyPress WordPress plugin (versions ≤14.3.3) allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes due to improper input validation. This vulnerability enables remote code execution and data manipulation without authentication. Organizations using BuddyPress for community platforms, employee portals, or customer engagement face immediate risk of compromise.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 5, 2026 05:17
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations heavily impacted include: Banking sector (SAMA-regulated banks using BuddyPress for customer portals), Government agencies (NCA oversight) using community platforms, Healthcare institutions (MOH) with patient engagement portals, Telecommunications (STC, Mobily) with customer communities, and Educational institutions. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary WordPress functions, potentially leading to data exfiltration, malware injection, and system compromise. Critical for organizations hosting sensitive citizen/customer data.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Institutions
Telecommunications
Education
Energy and Utilities
Retail and E-commerce
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all WordPress installations using BuddyPress plugin via vulnerability scanning
2. Disable BuddyPress plugin immediately if not critical to operations
3. Restrict access to affected WordPress sites via WAF rules blocking suspicious shortcode patterns
PATCHING:
1. Update BuddyPress to version 14.3.4 or later immediately
2. Apply WordPress core updates and all dependent plugins
3. Verify patch installation: check plugin version in WordPress admin dashboard
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching impossible):
1. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block do_shortcode execution patterns
2. Disable user registration and community features temporarily
3. Implement IP whitelisting for administrative access
4. Enable WordPress security plugins with shortcode execution monitoring
DETECTION:
1. Monitor WordPress logs for unusual shortcode patterns: [wp_*, [execute, [system
2. Check database for suspicious post/page content containing shortcodes
3. Review user activity logs for unauthenticated shortcode execution attempts
4. Alert on any do_shortcode function calls from non-authenticated sources
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم إضافة BuddyPress عبر فحص الثغرات
2. تعطيل إضافة BuddyPress فوراً إذا لم تكن حرجة للعمليات
3. تقييد الوصول إلى مواقع WordPress المتأثرة عبر قواعد WAF لحجب أنماط الاختصارات المريبة
التصحيح:
1. تحديث BuddyPress إلى الإصدار 14.3.4 أو أحدث فوراً
2. تطبيق تحديثات WordPress الأساسية وجميع الإضافات التابعة
3. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح: تحقق من إصدار الإضافة في لوحة تحكم WordPress
الضوابط البديلة (إذا كان التصحيح الفوري مستحيلاً):
1. تنفيذ قواعد جدار الحماية (WAF) لحجب أنماط تنفيذ do_shortcode
2. تعطيل تسجيل المستخدمين وميزات المجتمع مؤقتاً
3. تنفيذ قائمة بيضاء للعناوين IP للوصول الإداري
4. تفعيل إضافات أمان WordPress مع مراقبة تنفيذ الاختصارات
الكشف:
1. مراقبة سجلات WordPress للأنماط المريبة للاختصارات: [wp_*, [execute, [system
2. فحص قاعدة البيانات للمحتوى المريب في المنشورات/الصفحات التي تحتوي على اختصارات
3. مراجعة سجلات نشاط المستخدم لمحاولات تنفيذ اختصارات غير مصرح بها
4. التنبيه على أي استدعاءات دالة do_shortcode من مصادر غير مصرح بها
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Monitoring and logging of access
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.BE-1 - Asset management
SAMA CSF PR.DS-6 - Data security and integrity
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection processes and tools
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1.1 - User endpoint devices
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security patches and updates
PCI DSS 6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention
PCI DSS 11.2 - Vulnerability scanning
🔗 References & Sources 3
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/buddypress/tags/14.3.1/bp-templates/bp-nouve...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&new=325939...
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/34c627c1-7838-468e-acb7-eb84a...
security@wordfence.com