CVE-2024-1487 in Photos and Files Contest Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
The Photos and Files Contest Gallery WordPress plugin before 21.3.1 does not sanitize and escape some parameters, which could allow users with a role as low as author to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1487 affects the Photos and Files Contest Gallery WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 21.3.1. This security flaw represents a critical concern for WordPress site administrators as it exploits a common web application vulnerability pattern that allows unauthorized execution of malicious scripts. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user-controllable parameters before they are processed and displayed within the web application. This weakness allows an attacker with minimal privileges, specifically users holding the author role, to manipulate input fields and inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin handles parameters that should be treated as untrusted input, failing to apply appropriate sanitization measures that would normally prevent script injection attacks. This type of flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as the improper handling of input data that can lead to unauthorized script execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1487 extends beyond simple script injection as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. An attacker with author-level privileges can craft malicious payloads that will execute whenever other users view affected pages or interact with the plugin's functionality. This vulnerability can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that authors typically have limited access to core system functions, making this vulnerability a potential escalation vector for privilege abuse. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1584.002 (Compromise Infrastructure: Domain Generation Algorithms) as it provides a means for attackers to establish persistent access through malicious script delivery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress administrators to upgrade to plugin version 21.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the sanitization issues. Additionally, site administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures and regularly audit their WordPress installations for similar vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in the patched version likely involves the application of proper escaping functions and sanitization routines to all user-controllable parameters before they are rendered in the browser context. Security monitoring should include regular checks for unauthorized plugin modifications and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, providing an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks that may still occur despite proper input validation.