CVE-2024-10233 in SMSAlert Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
The SMS Alert Order Notifications – WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's sa_subscribe shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 3.7.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10233 affects the SMS Alert Order Notifications plugin for WooCommerce, a widely used WordPress extension that facilitates automated SMS notifications for order processing. This plugin operates as a bridge between WooCommerce e-commerce functionality and SMS communication services, allowing store administrators to receive real-time alerts about new orders and other significant events. The security flaw manifests within the plugin's sa_subscribe shortcode implementation, which serves as a mechanism for users to subscribe to SMS notifications through WordPress shortcodes. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 3.7.5, representing a critical security gap that has remained unaddressed for an extended period, potentially exposing numerous WordPress installations to significant risk.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's shortcode processing logic. Specifically, when the sa_subscribe shortcode processes user-supplied attributes, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape these inputs before rendering them in the output HTML. This classic input sanitization failure creates a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the plugin's shortcode parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level privileges, meaning that users with relatively low access rights can exploit this flaw. This access level typically includes users who can publish posts, submit comments, and modify their own content, making the attack vector accessible to a broad range of potential threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain access to compromised WordPress installations. When authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher visit pages containing the maliciously injected shortcode, the stored scripts execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious code remains persistent across multiple page views and user sessions until manually removed from the shortcode parameters. This characteristic transforms what might initially appear as a limited scripting vulnerability into a significant persistent threat that can be leveraged for extended periods without detection.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness represents a failure in input validation and output escaping that allows malicious data to be interpreted as executable code. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566.001, which covers "Phishing via Social Engineering" and "Spearphishing via Service" techniques, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to craft malicious pages that appear legitimate to users. Additionally, the vulnerability fits within the T1071.001 category related to application layer protocols, specifically HTTP, as the malicious scripts can be executed through standard web browsing mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through plugin updates, as the combination of low privilege requirements and persistent execution capabilities makes this a particularly dangerous threat vector for WordPress-based e-commerce platforms.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin version updates to the latest available release that addresses this vulnerability, along with comprehensive security auditing of all shortcode implementations within the WordPress installation. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as role-based access controls to limit contributor-level privileges where possible, and deploy web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious shortcode parameter patterns. Regular security scanning of WordPress installations and plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while user education regarding the risks of accepting content from untrusted contributors remains essential. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content through shortcode mechanisms.