CVE-2024-1541 in Gutenberg Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The Gutenberg Blocks by Kadence Blocks – Page Builder Features plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the htmlTag attribute in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.23 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor 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 • 04/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1541 affects the Gutenberg Blocks by Kadence Blocks plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions up to and including 3.2.23. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress content management systems where the plugin is installed. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users with contributor-level privileges or higher, meaning that individuals who have been granted editing rights to a WordPress site can potentially compromise the entire system through this vector.
The technical flaw manifests through the htmlTag attribute within the plugin's functionality, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing and rendering content. When an authenticated attacker with contributor access or higher creates or modifies content using the affected plugin, they can inject malicious scripts into the htmlTag parameter. These scripts are then stored within the WordPress database and executed whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability operates under CWE-79, which classifies it as a classic XSS attack vector where the malicious input is permanently stored and later executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have editing capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker could inject malicious scripts that steal user sessions, redirect visitors to phishing sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects all users who access pages containing the malicious content, making it a broad threat that can compromise numerous individuals within a single WordPress site. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and credential access, as the injected scripts could be used to exfiltrate sensitive data or establish unauthorized access to user accounts. The attack surface is particularly large given that WordPress sites often contain sensitive information and user data that could be compromised through such an exploit.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1541 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. System administrators should ensure that all instances of the Kadence Blocks plugin are updated to the latest secure version available from the plugin developers. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management within WordPress installations can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability requires at least contributor-level access to be effectively exploited. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify potential malicious script injection attempts, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes can help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to further protect against XSS attacks and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and proper input validation mechanisms within web applications to prevent such persistent threats from compromising user security and data integrity.