CVE-2024-13381 in Calculated Fields Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
The Calculated Fields Form WordPress plugin before 5.2.62 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13381 affects the Calculated Fields Form WordPress plugin version 5.2.62 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting exploits. This flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings without proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious code injection that can persist across user sessions and page reloads. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exploits a privilege escalation scenario where users with administrative capabilities can leverage this weakness even in environments where standard security measures like unfiltered_html restrictions are enforced.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input within its administrative settings interface. When administrators configure form fields and settings, the plugin stores these configurations in the WordPress database without adequate validation or escaping of potentially malicious content. This creates a stored XSS vector where crafted scripts can be injected into the plugin's settings and subsequently executed whenever the affected administrative pages are accessed. The vulnerability specifically affects high-privilege users including administrators who possess the capability to modify plugin settings, making it particularly dangerous in multi-site WordPress environments where such permissions are commonly granted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts through the vulnerable settings, these payloads can execute in the context of other administrators' browsers, potentially allowing full compromise of the WordPress installation. The persistence of stored XSS attacks means that victims need not actively interact with malicious content, as the scripts execute automatically upon page load, creating a continuous threat vector that can be exploited by unauthorized parties.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the stored XSS can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through browser-based vectors. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to version 5.2.62 or later, as this update addresses the sanitization and escaping deficiencies in the plugin's settings handling. Additionally, implementing additional security measures such as regular security audits, monitoring for unauthorized plugin modifications, and maintaining strict access controls for administrative accounts can help mitigate potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly within content management systems where administrative interfaces are frequently targeted by attackers seeking persistent access to sensitive systems.