CVE-2024-12271 in 360 Javascript Viewer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The 360 Javascript Viewer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘ref’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.29 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The CVE-2024-12271 vulnerability affects the 360 Javascript Viewer plugin for WordPress, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that compromises web application security. This vulnerability exists in all plugin versions up to and including 1.7.29 and specifically targets the 'ref' parameter within the plugin's functionality. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or encode user-supplied data before processing. Security researchers have identified this issue as particularly dangerous because it requires only administrator-level access to exploit, making it a significant threat to WordPress multisite installations where the vulnerability manifests most prominently.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the 'ref' parameter which allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's processing pipeline. When this malicious code is subsequently rendered on affected pages, it executes in the context of other users who access those pages, creating a persistent XSS attack vector. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in multisite WordPress configurations where the attack can potentially affect multiple sites within a single network. Additionally, the flaw specifically targets installations where the unfiltered_html capability has been disabled, indicating that the vulnerability is particularly concerning in hardened WordPress environments where such restrictions are typically implemented for security purposes.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts persist in the database and execute automatically whenever affected pages are accessed, creating a long-term security risk that can affect numerous users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, making it a significant threat in the context of WordPress security frameworks and attack surface management.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies, along with comprehensive security audits of affected multisite installations. Administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular monitoring of user activity within WordPress environments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper privilege management and access controls, as the attack requires administrative access to exploit, emphasizing the need for robust authentication and authorization mechanisms. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin and ensure that proper output encoding and input validation measures are implemented across all WordPress installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components.