CVE-2024-27962 in wp-mpdf Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Florian 'fkrauthan' Krauthan allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects wp-mpdf: from n/a through 3.7.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input sanitization during web page generation processes. The issue resides within the wp-mpdf plugin ecosystem, specifically affecting versions through 3.7.1, where user-supplied input is not adequately neutralized before being incorporated into dynamically generated web content. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or filter user-controllable data that gets reflected back to users through HTTP responses, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness in web applications. When the plugin processes user input through its web interfaces, it fails to apply proper output encoding or sanitization mechanisms before rendering content, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the reflected nature of the vulnerability. This means that an attacker can construct a URL containing malicious script code that, when executed by a victim's browser, will execute within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially compromising user sessions or redirecting them to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to phishing sites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation requires user interaction with a crafted malicious link, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering campaigns where users might be tricked into clicking on seemingly legitimate URLs. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access user accounts, modify content, or establish persistent access through more sophisticated attack vectors that build upon the initial XSS compromise.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of the wp-mpdf plugin where input validation and output sanitization have been properly implemented. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide defense-in-depth against XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources and preventing unauthorized code injection. Input validation should be strengthened to ensure all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or rendered, following secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block common XSS attack patterns, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web application portfolios.