CVE-2024-11882 in FAQ and Answers Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The FAQ And Answers – Create Frequently Asked Questions Area on WP Sites plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'faq' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.0 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11882 affects the FAQ And Answers plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.1.0. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's functionality, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with relatively low privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through the plugin's 'faq' shortcode implementation, where user-supplied attributes fail to undergo proper sanitization before being processed and rendered. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a Stored Cross-Site Scripting weakness, where malicious scripts can be permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level access or higher, making it accessible to users who typically have limited administrative privileges within WordPress environments.
Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or above can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code through the plugin's shortcode attributes. When legitimate users access pages containing the compromised shortcode, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected WordPress installation. This stored XSS vulnerability creates a persistent threat that remains active until the malicious code is removed from the plugin's configuration or the plugin is updated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, unauthorized modifications to site content, and potential lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site using the affected plugin version, making it a widespread concern for content management system administrators. Attackers can craft sophisticated payloads that may leverage browser-specific features or combine with other vulnerabilities to escalate their attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as role-based access control restrictions, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1546.001 - Event Triggered Execution: Change in File Creation/Modification, as the malicious scripts are stored within the site's content and executed during normal page access operations. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide additional protection against XSS attacks, though this serves as a supplementary defense rather than a complete solution. Regular vulnerability scanning and security assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or themes that may be susceptible to similar input validation flaws.