CVE-2024-27995 in ARMember Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Repute Infosystems ARMember – Membership Plugin, Content Restriction, Member Levels, User Profile & User signup allows Stored XSS.This issue affects ARMember – Membership Plugin, Content Restriction, Member Levels, User Profile & User signup: from n/a through 4.0.23.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the ARMember membership plugin for WordPress systems, specifically impacting versions through 4.0.23. The flaw represents a classic stored XSS attack vector where malicious input is not properly sanitized during web page generation processes. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to neutralize potentially malicious script code submitted through user-facing interfaces. When users interact with the plugin's content restriction, member level management, user profile, or signup functionalities, malicious payloads can be persistently stored within the application's database and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat where any user who views pages containing the compromised data becomes vulnerable to script execution, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the affected WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices that align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications. The issue occurs during the web page generation phase where user-supplied data flows directly into HTML output without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness by submitting malicious scripts through the plugin's user profile fields, content restriction parameters, or member level configurations. These scripts then get stored in the database and executed whenever other users view pages that display this compromised data. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection point, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant security risks for WordPress installations using the affected plugin. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially steal user sessions, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface includes all users who interact with the plugin's functionality, particularly those managing member levels, content restrictions, or user profiles. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin operates, as it allows for persistent code execution that can be used to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or escalate privileges within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of content management systems by enabling attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of legitimate users' browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the ARMember plugin to version 4.0.24 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before storage or display. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS attack patterns, while also monitoring for suspicious activities related to user profile modifications or content restriction changes. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability, particularly focusing on user profile fields and membership management interfaces. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring user activities within the affected plugin's administrative areas can help detect unauthorized exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security posture, as it represents a critical weakness in web application input handling that requires immediate attention to prevent potential compromise of the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns, particularly in relation to persistent XSS vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for long-term access to compromised systems.