CVE-2024-22292 in WP To Do Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/31/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Delower WP To Do allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP To Do: from n/a through 1.2.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22292 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Delower WP To Do WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.2.8. This flaw resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a persistent stored XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever the affected content is displayed to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stored XSS pattern where malicious input is accepted through plugin forms or administrative interfaces and subsequently stored without proper validation or encoding. When legitimate users access pages containing the malicious content, their browsers execute the injected scripts within the context of the vulnerable website, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Establishing Persistence through Web Shell creation or credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the entire plugin functionality and potentially compromise the broader WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious JavaScript that can redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies and session tokens, or even modify plugin settings to maintain persistent access. The stored nature of this XSS means that once the malicious payload is injected, it will continue to affect all users who view the affected content until the vulnerability is patched or the malicious data is manually removed. This persistent threat makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the plugin's functionality, as the attack surface expands with each user who encounters the malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-22292 should prioritize immediate patching of the WP To Do plugin to version 1.2.9 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. System administrators should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS patterns, regular security audits of plugin installations, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities or unexpected content modifications. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including client-side and server-side sanitization, with all user-supplied data properly encoded before being rendered in web pages. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities and establish regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other installed plugins or themes that may present comparable risks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress plugins and implementing comprehensive security monitoring practices to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses.