CVE-2024-0719 in Tabs Shortcode and Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
The Tabs Shortcode and Widget WordPress plugin through 1.17 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0719 affects the Tabs Shortcode and Widget WordPress plugin version 1.17 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality, allowing malicious actors with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject and persist malicious scripts within WordPress content. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the plugin handles shortcode attributes, failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser in web pages or posts where the shortcode is embedded.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to implement proper sanitization routines for shortcode parameters, creating an environment where attacker-controlled input can be executed as JavaScript within the context of legitimate website visitors' browsers. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability where malicious payloads are stored on the server and executed when other users access the affected content. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the low privilege requirement, as contributors and above can exploit this flaw without needing administrator credentials, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress environments where content authors may have elevated permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of website content, and redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of the XSS means that once a malicious shortcode is injected into the system, it will persist and affect all users who view the affected pages until the malicious content is removed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content injection. This allows adversaries to establish a foothold within WordPress environments and potentially escalate privileges or conduct broader attacks against the web application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.18 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting contributor-level user permissions, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly when handling user-generated content that will be rendered back to other users in web browsers.