CVE-2024-24803 in Ultra Companion Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WPoperation Ultra Companion – Companion plugin for WPoperation Themes allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Ultra Companion – Companion plugin for WPoperation Themes: from n/a through 1.1.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2024
The CVE-2024-24803 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WPoperation Ultra Companion plugin, specifically targeting versions through 1.1.9. This stored XSS vulnerability emerges from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can affect all users interacting with compromised WordPress sites. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, enabling malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, and perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. When exploited, the stored XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the plugin's database or configuration files, ensuring that every subsequent page load triggers the malicious code execution. This persistent nature makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can remain undetected for extended periods while continuously compromising user interactions. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using WPoperation Themes, where the companion plugin serves as an essential component for theme functionality, making the attack surface potentially widespread among users of this specific theme ecosystem.
Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves the use of malicious scripts to gain access to user sessions and perform unauthorized actions. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate core web application security principles, particularly in the context of content management systems where user-generated content processing is fundamental. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious input through plugin configuration forms or user-facing interfaces, which are then stored and executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it affects the plugin's core functionality, potentially allowing attackers to modify theme behavior, access administrative features, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised WordPress installation. Organizations using WPoperation Themes and the Ultra Companion plugin must prioritize immediate remediation to prevent exploitation and maintain the integrity of their web applications.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to version 1.1.10 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or displayed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious scripts have been injected into the system. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date plugins and themes, as well as implementing robust security practices during the development and deployment phases of web applications.