CVE-2024-2226 in Otter Block Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Otter Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks, Page Builder for Gutenberg Editor & FSE plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the id parameter in the google-map block in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor access and higher 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-2024-2226 affects the Otter Blocks plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting the google-map block functionality within the Gutenberg editor and Full Site Editing environment. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the integrity of WordPress sites utilizing this popular page builder plugin. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.6.4, indicating a widespread impact across the plugin's user base and highlighting the urgent need for immediate remediation measures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When the id parameter is processed within the google-map block, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before storing it in the database. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious script code that gets persisted in the system and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the way the plugin handles the id parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject harmful payloads that can manipulate the behavior of the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it requires only contributor-level access to exploit successfully, making it accessible to users who have relatively low privileges within the WordPress administrative system. This means that attackers who can gain access to a contributor account or higher can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary web scripts on behalf of other users who access affected pages. The stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that once the malicious payload is injected, it remains active until manually removed, potentially affecting numerous site visitors over extended periods. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be used for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites.
The implications extend beyond simple script execution, as this vulnerability can be exploited to perform more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to modify content, steal administrative credentials, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly handled. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing via Social Engineering, as attackers could use the stored XSS to deliver phishing content, and T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell, as the injected scripts could potentially leverage PowerShell for further exploitation.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Otter Blocks plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vulnerability affects all versions up to 2.6.4. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unusual content modifications and user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and output escaping practices in web application development, particularly for plugins that handle user-generated content within content management systems. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes that might present similar security risks to WordPress installations.