CVE-2024-11891 in Perfect Font Awesome Integration Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The Perfect Font Awesome Integration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'pfai' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.3 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The Perfect Font Awesome Integration plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11891 affecting versions up to and including 2.3. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's 'pfai' shortcode implementation and represents a significant security risk for WordPress installations. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes before processing them within the shortcode context. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability specifically targets authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level access or higher privileges within the WordPress environment, making it particularly concerning for sites with multiple user roles or collaborative editing environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the 'pfai' shortcode attributes, where malicious input can be injected and subsequently stored within the WordPress database. When legitimate users access pages containing the compromised shortcode, the stored malicious scripts execute within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the affected WordPress installation. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, creating a continuous threat vector that can affect any user who encounters the compromised content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping in dynamic content generation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-11891 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the WordPress environment. Authenticated attackers with contributor privileges can inject malicious code that executes whenever any user accesses the affected pages, creating a potential vector for widespread compromise. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple contributors may have elevated privileges, as it allows for the propagation of malicious content across various content areas. The attack surface includes all pages where the 'pfai' shortcode is utilized, potentially affecting the entire website if the shortcode is widely implemented. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing with Social Engineering) and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the stored XSS to execute malicious commands and potentially escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-11891 focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Administrators should prioritize updating to the latest available version of the Perfect Font Awesome Integration plugin, as this resolves the core vulnerability through proper attribute validation and sanitization. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing logic is essential. Security measures should include restricting contributor-level access to only necessary functions and implementing proper content filtering to prevent unauthorized injection of malicious scripts. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual shortcode usage patterns or suspicious attribute values. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and proper code review practices to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom WordPress implementations, as the underlying cause involves fundamental security principles that should be applied consistently throughout web application development.