CVE-2024-24928 in Content Cards Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Arunas Liuiza Content Cards allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Content Cards: from n/a through 0.9.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24928 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Arunas Liuiza Content Cards plugin, specifically targeting versions ranging from the initial release through 0.9.7. This security weakness falls under the category of improper input neutralization during web page generation, creating a persistent threat vector that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability's classification as stored XSS indicates that malicious code can be permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent. The affected plugin appears to process user inputs without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets stored within the plugin's database or storage mechanisms. When legitimate users subsequently view pages generated by the Content Cards plugin, their browsers execute the stored malicious scripts without proper sanitization. This behavior directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection point, creating a continuous threat that affects all users who encounter the compromised content. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected web environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24928 extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of web applications utilizing the affected Content Cards plugin. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risks including unauthorized data access, session hijacking, and potential complete system compromise if attackers can escalate privileges through the XSS vector. The vulnerability's presence in a content management plugin creates a particularly concerning threat landscape since such plugins often handle sensitive user information and may be integrated with other security-critical components. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of malicious content to establish initial access through phishing attacks, as attackers can craft malicious content that appears legitimate to end users. The persistence of stored XSS attacks makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for websites with high user interaction, as the malicious code can affect numerous users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24928 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters in user-generated content before storage, ensuring that any potentially malicious scripts are neutralized before being rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense by restricting script execution and limiting the attack surface available to XSS payloads. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, while developers should adopt secure coding practices that include proper HTML encoding, context-aware output filtering, and input validation routines. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns, though these measures should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability's impact on user trust and data security underscores the importance of proactive security measures and regular vulnerability assessments to maintain robust protection against evolving cyber threats.