CVE-2024-10885 in SearchIQ Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
The SearchIQ – The Search Solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'siq_searchbox' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 4.6 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 • 06/06/2025
The CVE-2024-10885 vulnerability affects the SearchIQ – The Search Solution WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.6. This represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that exploits the plugin's siq_searchbox shortcode functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable vector that allows malicious actors to inject persistent web scripts into affected WordPress installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the siq_searchbox shortcode which fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes before processing them. When authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher submit content containing malicious script code through these attributes, the plugin stores this input without adequate sanitization measures. Subsequently, when other users access pages containing the injected content, the stored scripts execute in their browsers, creating a persistent XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for WordPress sites utilizing the SearchIQ plugin. The requirement for only contributor-level access means that attackers can exploit this weakness even with relatively low privileges, making it particularly dangerous for sites with multiple contributors or users who may not be properly vetted. The stored nature of the XSS attack allows for long-term persistence, enabling attackers to maintain access to compromised sites and potentially exfiltrate sensitive information from users who interact with the affected pages.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common web application security flaw occurring when untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or escaping. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for code injection and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. The exploitation path demonstrates how attackers can leverage weak input validation to achieve persistent access, potentially leading to full site compromise or data breaches. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, implement proper input validation at multiple layers, and conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies include immediate updating of the SearchIQ plugin to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injections, and conducting regular security assessments of WordPress installations. Administrators should also enforce strict access controls, limit user privileges to the minimum necessary, and implement proper output escaping mechanisms throughout the application. Additionally, regular monitoring of plugin updates and security advisories from WordPress.org and security vendors can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.