CVE-2024-23505 in PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/31/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in DearHive PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook – DearPDF allows Stored XSS.This issue affects PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook – DearPDF: from n/a through 2.0.38.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2024
The CVE-2024-23505 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the DearHive PDF Viewer & 3D PDF Flipbook plugin for WordPress, specifically within the DearPDF component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and operates as a stored XSS attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists in versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.0.38, indicating a broad affected range that encompasses numerous installations of this popular PDF viewing plugin. The flaw occurs during the web page generation process when input data is improperly neutralized before being rendered in the browser environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can submit malicious input through the plugin's interface that gets stored in the database and subsequently executed when other users view the affected pages. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23505 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within compromised WordPress installations. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, potentially allowing attackers to perform administrative actions or steal sensitive information from authenticated users. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the malicious code executes automatically whenever affected pages are viewed, making it particularly effective for mass exploitation across multiple users. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers can craft malicious PDF documents or web content that triggers the vulnerability when opened or viewed through the affected plugin.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the DearPDF plugin where available, as the vulnerability has been addressed in newer releases. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation and output encoding measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and vulnerability assessments for WordPress plugins, particularly those handling user-generated content or providing PDF viewing capabilities. Implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded, though this mitigation is most effective when combined with proper input validation and output encoding practices.