CVE-2024-27969 in Free Downloads WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/11/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WP Enhanced Free Downloads WooCommerce allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Free Downloads WooCommerce: from n/a through 3.5.8.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input sanitization during web page generation within the WP Enhanced Free Downloads WooCommerce plugin. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that malicious payloads can be permanently injected into the application's database and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered to users. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and execute arbitrary code on victim machines. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the Free Downloads WooCommerce plugin ranging from the initial release through version 3.5.8.2, indicating a prolonged exposure window where users remained vulnerable to this class of attack.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied input that is subsequently stored and displayed within web pages. When administrators or users input data through plugin interfaces, the application fails to properly neutralize potentially malicious content before storing it in the database. This allows attackers to inject javascript payloads or other malicious code that persists across sessions and can be executed whenever the affected content is rendered. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a foundational weakness in web application security that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent attack vectors in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim user's browser, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The stored nature of the XSS means that even users who do not directly interact with the compromised content can be affected when they visit pages that display the maliciously stored data. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in e-commerce environments where administrators have elevated privileges and access to sensitive customer data, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access and compromise entire user bases.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary and most effective remediation involves upgrading to the latest version of the Free Downloads WooCommerce plugin where the XSS vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including input validation at multiple layers, content security policies, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins or themes that may exhibit similar weaknesses, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader security gaps in web application architectures. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 - Account Access Removal, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation within the affected systems.