CVE-2024-0976 in WP Event Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The WP Event Manager – Events Calendar, Registrations, Sell Tickets with WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.41 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2026
The WP Event Manager plugin represents a widely used WordPress solution for event management, calendar functionality, and ticket sales integration with WooCommerce. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.1.41, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites that rely on this plugin for their event management operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, specifically in how the plugin parameter is processed. The reflected cross-site scripting flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with a specially crafted URL.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input received through the plugin parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within this parameter and tricks a user into clicking the link, the script gets reflected back in the user's browser without proper escaping or sanitization. This creates a persistent execution environment where malicious code can run in the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, performing unauthorized actions, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user input is directly incorporated into dynamic content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, steal administrator credentials, or manipulate event data through session hijacking techniques. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any user visiting a page containing the malicious link could be compromised without requiring any prior authentication or authorization. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for event management sites that may have numerous visitors or users who frequently click on links in event descriptions or registration pages. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which focuses on spearphishing attacks and social engineering methods that can be amplified through reflected XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from site administrators to update to the patched version of the plugin. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms that align with WordPress security best practices and OWASP guidelines for preventing XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and monitor for suspicious user agent patterns or unusual access patterns. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes become essential for maintaining protection against similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to plugins handling user input or generating dynamic content. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.