CVE-2024-2738 in Permalink Manager Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Permalink Manager Lite and Pro plugins for WordPress are vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘s’ parameter in multiple instances in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.3.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2738 affects the Permalink Manager Lite and Pro plugins for WordPress, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that has been present in all versions up to and including 2.4.3.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the 's' parameter, which is commonly used for search functionality within WordPress environments, making it a prime target for exploitation due to its frequent use in user interactions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into HTML output. When the 's' parameter is processed without adequate escaping or validation, malicious payloads can be injected that will execute in the context of a victim's browser when they navigate to affected pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic reflected XSS attack vector where the malicious script is reflected off the web server and delivered to the victim's browser. The attack requires social engineering to succeed, as attackers must convince users to click on malicious links containing the crafted payload, but once executed, the script can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or defacing web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially steal administrator credentials, modify content, or establish persistent access through the injected scripts. The vulnerability affects both the Lite and Pro versions of the plugin, indicating a widespread issue across the product line and suggesting that the core sanitization logic was flawed in the fundamental implementation. This creates a significant risk for WordPress sites using these plugins, particularly those with high-traffic or sensitive content, as the reflected nature of the attack means that successful exploitation can occur without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers Phishing via Social Engineering, as the attack vector relies heavily on tricking users into clicking malicious links.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping issues, as well as implementing additional security measures such as Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter usage patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user input is frequently processed and displayed. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins and ensure that all third-party components are regularly updated to address known security issues.