CVE-2024-11785 in Integrate Firebase Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The Integrate Firebase plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'firebase_show' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 0.9.3 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 • 02/18/2025
The CVE-2024-11785 vulnerability affects the Integrate Firebase plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool that facilitates integration between WordPress websites and Firebase services. This plugin version 0.9.3 and earlier contains a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security of WordPress installations. The vulnerability specifically resides within the plugin's 'firebase_show' shortcode implementation, which processes user-supplied attributes without adequate sanitization measures. This creates a persistent security risk where malicious scripts can be stored in the WordPress database and executed whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing logic. When administrators or contributors with appropriate privileges use the firebase_show shortcode with malicious attributes, the plugin fails to properly sanitize these inputs before storing them in the database. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious scripts are persisted in the WordPress database rather than being reflected in HTTP responses. This allows attackers to inject malicious code that will execute in the context of any user who views pages containing the compromised shortcode, making the attack vector particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where various privilege levels exist.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary web scripts in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the WordPress installation. The attack requires minimal privileges, making it particularly concerning for WordPress sites where contributors have access to the admin interface. This vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent backdoors, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, all while remaining hidden within the legitimate plugin functionality.
Security practitioners should immediately update the Integrate Firebase plugin to version 0.9.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation for all user-supplied data, particularly within shortcode implementations, and ensure proper output escaping is applied to prevent XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity best practices. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins that may contain similar vulnerabilities, and consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against such attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code in user browsers through the compromised shortcode functionality.