CVE-2024-10542 Auth bypass in Spam protection, Honeypot, Anti-Spam by CleanTalk

Critical 9.8 Published 26 Nov 2024 Updated 8 Apr 2026

Unauthenticated attackers can bypass authorization via reverse DNS spoofing to install arbitrary plugins, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2024-10542?

CVE-2024-10542 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Spam protection, Honeypot, Anti-Spam by CleanTalk, published on 26 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

The Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized Arbitrary Plugin Installation due to an authorization bypass via reverse DNS spoofing on the checkWithoutToken function in all versions up to, and including, 6.43.2. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to install and activate arbitrary plugins which can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution if another vulnerable plugin is installed and activated.

Weakness: CWE-862

Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-10542?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cleantalk Anti-Spam.

How do I fix CVE-2024-10542?

No fix has been published for CVE-2024-10542 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2024-10542 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-10542 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-r694-88f4-27hq.