CVE-2024-25593 in NEX-Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Basix NEX-Forms – Ultimate Form Builder allows Stored XSS.This issue affects NEX-Forms – Ultimate Form Builder: from n/a through 8.5.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2024
The CVE-2024-25593 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Basix NEX-Forms – Ultimate Form Builder plugin, classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that affects versions from an unspecified starting point through 8.5.5. The flaw specifically manifests as a stored XSS attack vector, meaning that malicious code injected by an attacker persists in the application's database and executes whenever affected pages are loaded. The vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process where user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users, allowing attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms designed to prevent script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers can craft malicious form submissions that contain JavaScript payloads designed to exploit the XSS vulnerability, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that even after the initial injection, the malicious code continues to execute automatically whenever the vulnerable page is accessed, making it particularly dangerous for websites with high user interaction or administrative access. The vulnerability affects not just the end users but also administrators who may be tricked into viewing maliciously crafted form submissions, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability through its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access via web application attacks and T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter using PowerShell or other scripting languages. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the NEX-Forms plugin to version 8.5.5 or later, as this represents the first version that addresses the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future, following the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious form submissions, and conducting regular security audits of all installed plugins and themes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent. Security teams must also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their attack surface, as XSS flaws often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise through session manipulation or data breach scenarios.