CVE-2024-27989 in WP Responsive Tabs Horizontal Vertical and Accordion Tabs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/11/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in I Thirteen Web Solution WP Responsive Tabs horizontal vertical and accordion Tabs allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Responsive Tabs horizontal vertical and accordion Tabs: from n/a through 1.1.17.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WP Responsive Tabs plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions through 1.1.17. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be persistently stored and executed within user browsers. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which denotes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic stored XSS attack vector. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code through input fields that are then stored on the server and subsequently served to other users visiting pages that utilize the vulnerable tabs functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data enters the plugin's tab configuration interface without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. When administrators or users configure tab content, the plugin fails to adequately escape or validate the input before rendering it in HTML output. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once the malicious code is injected, it persists in the database and affects all users who view the affected pages without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised user sessions. An attacker who successfully injects malicious code can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive administrative functions, or exfiltrate data from authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin is installed, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators may unknowingly execute malicious code through standard tab configuration processes. This issue directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers credential access through phishing, as the stored XSS could be used to capture user credentials or session tokens.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization flaws, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, particularly those that handle user-generated content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious content and browser security practices remains essential for comprehensive protection against this class of vulnerability.