CVE-2024-11776 in PCRecruiter Extensions Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2024
The PCRecruiter Extensions plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'PCRecruiter' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.10 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 • 02/17/2025
The CVE-2024-11776 vulnerability affects the PCRecruiter Extensions plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.4.10. This represents a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks through the plugin's PCRecruiter shortcode functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a persistent vector for malicious script injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw particularly impacts environments where contributors and higher-level users have access to the WordPress admin interface, as these roles can manipulate the shortcode parameters that are subsequently stored and executed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher utilize the PCRecruiter shortcode with maliciously crafted attributes. These attributes are not properly sanitized before being stored in the WordPress database, and subsequently not adequately escaped during output rendering. This stored XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists within the plugin's shortcode parameters. When other users access pages containing the compromised shortcode, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-11776 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors such as credential theft, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor establishment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish long-term access to compromised WordPress installations, particularly when contributor accounts are compromised or when attackers gain access through social engineering. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the shortcode parameters, providing attackers with sustained access to target systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant risk to WordPress environments that rely on user-contributed content processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-11776 require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the PCRecruiter Extensions plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied data within WordPress plugins, particularly those handling shortcode parameters. Security administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while monitoring for unauthorized shortcode modifications in the WordPress database. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security practices in WordPress plugin development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for privilege escalation through malicious content injection. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and enforcement of least privilege access controls can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability specifically requires contributor-level access to be effectively exploited.