CVE-2024-12461 in WP-Revive Adserver Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The WP-Revive Adserver plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'wprevive_async' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.2.1 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 WP-Revive Adserver plugin presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This weakness exists within the plugin's 'wprevive_async' shortcode implementation and affects all versions through 2.2.1, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes before processing them within the shortcode context. This flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and ATT&CK technique T1566.2.001 - Phishing via Social Media. Attackers with contributor-level access can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious shortcode parameters that contain embedded JavaScript code, which then gets stored in the database and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payloads remain persistent until manually removed from the database, creating a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over extended periods. The impact is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level privileges, which are often granted to trusted users who may not fully understand the security implications of their actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data theft, session hijacking, and further attack escalation. When victims access pages containing the malicious shortcode, their browsers execute the injected scripts which can perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or harvesting sensitive information from the victim's browser session. The vulnerability's persistence means that even after initial exploitation, the malicious code continues to affect users without requiring repeated attacks. This characteristic makes it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access the same WordPress installation, as the attack can propagate through the user base. The attack surface is further expanded because the shortcode functionality is likely used across multiple pages and posts, creating numerous potential entry points for the malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping issues. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied attributes before processing them within the shortcode context, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by detecting and blocking suspicious script injections. Regular security audits and privilege reviews are essential to ensure that only trusted users have contributor-level access, while monitoring for unusual shortcode usage patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of principle of least privilege in WordPress environments, as restricting contributor access to only necessary functions can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent successful exploitation of any remaining XSS vulnerabilities in their WordPress installations.