CVE-2024-13563 in Front End Users Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2025
The Front End Users plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's forgot-password shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.30 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 • 02/15/2025
The Front End Users plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13563, affecting all versions through 3.2.30. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's forgot-password shortcode functionality. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level privileges or higher to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are accessed by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user-supplied attributes within the forgot-password shortcode, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to full system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output escaping. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious attribute values within the forgot-password shortcode that contain JavaScript code or other malicious payloads. These payloads are stored in the WordPress database and executed in the context of victim users' browsers when they access pages containing the compromised shortcode. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that contributors and above have sufficient privileges to modify content, making the attack surface more accessible within typical WordPress user role hierarchies.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-13563 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation. When authenticated users access pages containing the injected scripts, attackers can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the compromised users. This vulnerability particularly threatens WordPress installations where contributor-level users have access to content editing capabilities, as it provides a pathway for attackers to establish persistent presence within the application. The vulnerability's persistence makes it difficult to detect and remediate, as the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, potentially allowing attackers to maintain access for extended periods. Organizations using the Front End Users plugin in production environments face significant risk of data compromise and unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-13563 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, as this represents the most effective solution. Organizations should implement strict user access controls and role-based permissions to limit contributor-level access to content editing features that could be exploited. Additionally, implementing content security policies and input validation measures can help reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices including regular plugin updates, implementing web application firewalls, and establishing robust monitoring systems for detecting unauthorized modifications to content. Organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly reviewing user permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation through such vulnerabilities.