CVE-2024-12258 in WP Service Payment Form With Authorize.net Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The WP Service Payment Form With Authorize.net plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'page' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.3 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The WP Service Payment Form With Authorize.net plugin presents a critical reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2.6.3. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of the 'page' parameter. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with specially crafted links. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security and user trust, exploiting the fundamental principle that users should not be able to inject code that executes in their browsing context without proper validation and sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into HTML output. When the 'page' parameter is processed, the plugin does not adequately escape special characters or validate the input against a whitelist of acceptable values. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script tags, event handlers, or other malicious code that gets executed when the page renders. The vulnerability is classified as reflected XSS because the malicious script is reflected off the web server and executed in the victim's browser, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no persistent storage or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could craft malicious links that, when clicked by an authenticated user, could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the user within the context of the vulnerable WordPress installation. This vulnerability particularly threatens users who may be logged into their WordPress admin panels, as the injected scripts could potentially escalate privileges or access sensitive administrative functions. The attack vector relies on social engineering to trick users into clicking malicious links, making it particularly insidious as it requires no direct exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
The security implications align with common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving client-side attacks and credential theft through XSS vulnerabilities. This vulnerability also corresponds to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a standard web application security concern that affects numerous plugins and themes. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output escaping, and regular security updates to protect against potential exploitation. The recommended approach includes upgrading to the latest plugin version, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting security awareness training for users to recognize and avoid potentially malicious links that may exploit this vulnerability.