CVE-2024-24801 in OWL Carousel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in LogicHunt OWL Carousel – WordPress Owl Carousel Slider allows Stored XSS.This issue affects OWL Carousel – WordPress Owl Carousel Slider: from n/a through 1.4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-24801 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the LogicHunt OWL Carousel WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions up to and including 1.4.0. This stored XSS vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition where malicious scripts can be persistently stored and executed in the context of affected websites. The vulnerability manifests when administrators or users with appropriate privileges interact with the plugin's configuration interfaces, where unfiltered input gets embedded directly into HTML output without proper sanitization measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the established patterns of stored cross-site scripting attacks as classified under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript payloads through the plugin's input fields, which are then stored in the database and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered for legitimate users. This persistent nature of stored XSS makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. The attack vector typically involves manipulating configuration parameters, slider settings, or content fields that are processed by the vulnerable plugin, with the malicious code being executed in the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24801 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the compromised WordPress environment. The vulnerability can be exploited through the ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves phishing with malicious content, where attackers might craft malicious slider configurations or content that users inadvertently interact with. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, representing data from information repositories, as attackers could potentially extract sensitive data from the compromised site through the executed malicious scripts. The affected WordPress environment becomes vulnerable to persistent malicious activities, potentially allowing attackers to establish backdoors, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw, as recommended by the plugin vendor and security advisories. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, ensuring that all user-provided data is properly sanitized before being processed or stored. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable plugin versions and continuous observation of unusual content modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also enforce principle of least privilege access controls and implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins and themes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices throughout the WordPress ecosystem.