CVE-2024-10222 in SVG Support Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2025
The SVG Support plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via SVG File uploads in all versions up to, and including, 2.5.10 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses the SVG file. By default, this can only be exploited by administrators, but the ability to upload SVG files can be extended to authors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10222 affects the SVG Support plugin for WordPress, a widely used component that enables users to upload and display scalable vector graphics within WordPress environments. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the integrity of web applications by allowing malicious code execution. The issue manifests specifically in plugin versions up to and including 2.5.10, where the developers failed to implement adequate input sanitization measures for SVG file uploads. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied SVG content, combined with inadequate output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize malicious script payloads before rendering them in web browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker possessing at least author-level privileges within the WordPress environment. This access level allows the malicious user to upload SVG files through the plugin's interface, which are then stored on the server and subsequently served to other users who access these files. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious scripts are permanently embedded within the SVG files and execute automatically whenever any user views the affected content, creating a persistent threat vector. The vulnerability operates through the fundamental principle that SVG files, while typically safe for display purposes, can contain embedded script elements that browsers execute during rendering, particularly when proper sanitization protocols are absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-10222 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions, data exfiltration capabilities, and the ability to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Attackers can craft malicious SVG files containing embedded javascript that can steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform other harmful activities. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that administrators typically have elevated privileges, making their compromised sessions particularly dangerous. Additionally, the attack vector becomes more insidious when considering that the plugin's upload capabilities can be extended to lower user roles, potentially enabling exploitation by users with minimal privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-10222 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement strict file validation processes that reject SVG files containing potentially dangerous elements such as script tags, event handlers, or external references. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SVG content patterns. Access control measures must be reviewed to ensure that only trusted users have upload privileges, and user role permissions should be carefully evaluated to minimize the potential attack surface. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and automated scanning tools should be deployed to continuously monitor for malicious file uploads within the system.