CVE-2024-2736 in Bold Page Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Bold Page Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via HTML Tags in all versions up to, and including, 4.8.8 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2736 affects the Bold Page Builder plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for creating custom page layouts and content structures. This plugin has been found to contain a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that exists in all versions up to and including 4.8.8. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers with relatively low privileges. The flaw specifically targets user-supplied attributes that are processed and stored within the WordPress database, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious scripts become part of the website's permanent content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content without adequate sanitization or escaping. Attackers with contributor-level access or higher can leverage this weakness to inject malicious HTML tags and JavaScript code into page builder attributes. These injected scripts are then stored in the database and executed whenever any user accesses the affected pages, creating a persistent threat that can affect both administrators and regular website visitors. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active even after the initial injection, making it particularly insidious and difficult to detect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. An attacker could potentially steal administrator cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify content in ways that compromise the entire website's integrity. The vulnerability is especially concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who should normally have limited capabilities within the WordPress environment. This creates a significant risk for websites where contributors or authors may have elevated permissions, as the attacker could use this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive areas of the site.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2736 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control measures, regularly review user permissions, and conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins and themes. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious script injection patterns, while security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege in WordPress installations, ensuring that users only have the minimum necessary permissions to perform their required tasks. Regular security scanning and vulnerability assessment procedures should be maintained to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web application stack, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security gaps in the application architecture that require comprehensive remediation approaches.