CVE-2024-2840 in Enhanced Media Library Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Enhanced Media Library plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via media upload functionality in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.9 due to the plugin allowing 'dfxp' files to be uploaded. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2025
The Enhanced Media Library plugin for WordPress represents a widely used tool that extends the default media handling capabilities of the platform. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.8.9, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators who rely on this plugin for media management. The issue stems from the plugin's overly permissive file upload validation mechanism that fails to properly sanitize file extensions, particularly allowing 'dfxp' files to be uploaded and stored within the WordPress media library. The dfxp file format is typically associated with Digital Font eXchange files used in digital typography and is not a standard media type that should be permitted for upload in a typical WordPress environment.
The technical flaw manifests through a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when authenticated attackers with author-level privileges or higher upload malicious 'dfxp' files. These files can contain embedded malicious scripts that are executed when users access the media library or view pages containing the uploaded files. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as attackers only need author-level access to the WordPress installation. This access level is often achievable through social engineering, credential theft, or other common attack vectors that compromise user accounts. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious scripts persist in the server's media storage and execute every time the affected pages are accessed, creating a continuous threat vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a dfxp file that, when viewed in the WordPress media library, would steal user cookies or redirect them to phishing pages. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations that use the Enhanced Media Library plugin for managing media assets, potentially compromising thousands of sites if they have not updated to a patched version. The attack chain requires the attacker to first gain author-level access, upload a malicious dfxp file, and then wait for a user to access the media library or view a page containing the file. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple authors have access to the WordPress platform.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the Enhanced Media Library plugin to version 2.8.10 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting file upload capabilities to only allow safe file types such as images, documents, and standard media formats. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user permissions to the minimum required for their role, preventing unauthorized access to media upload functions. Network-level monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file upload activities, particularly for unusual file extensions or file types that should not be present in a typical WordPress media library. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious file upload attempts, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins to ensure they are up to date with the latest security patches. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, and represents a clear example of how insufficient input validation can lead to persistent cross-site scripting attacks in content management systems.
The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in how WordPress plugins handle file validation and sanitization, highlighting the importance of proper content type checking and file extension validation. Attackers can leverage this weakness through the ATT&CK technique of credential access and privilege escalation by first compromising an author account and then using the stored XSS to maintain persistent access or escalate privileges. The security implications extend to potential data exfiltration and user impersonation attacks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WordPress is used for content management and collaboration. Regular security assessments and patch management procedures should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other WordPress plugins or core components.