CVE-2024-2841 in Otter Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
The Otter Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks, Page Builder for Gutenberg Editor & FSE plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's widgets in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes such as 'id'. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-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 • 04/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2841 affects the Otter Blocks plugin for WordPress, a popular Gutenberg blocks and page builder solution that enables users to create custom layouts and designs within the WordPress editor. This plugin has been widely adopted across WordPress installations, making the identified security flaw particularly concerning from a threat perspective. The vulnerability manifests as a stored cross-site scripting issue that exists within the plugin's widget functionality, specifically impacting all versions up to and including 2.6.5. The flaw resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied attributes, particularly the 'id' parameter, which fails to undergo proper sanitization and output escaping processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically when processing widget configurations and user-generated content. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's widget system. These scripts are then stored within the WordPress database and executed whenever any user accesses a page containing the maliciously injected content. The attack vector exploits the trust relationship between the WordPress platform and its plugins, leveraging legitimate user privileges to execute unauthorized code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a persistent means of executing malicious code within the context of the WordPress installation. An attacker with contributor privileges can manipulate the plugin's widgets to inject JavaScript payloads that could perform various malicious activities including cookie theft, session hijacking, redirection to malicious sites, or even data exfiltration. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the injected scripts remain active until manually removed, potentially affecting all users who access pages containing the malicious content. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended periods, particularly in multi-user environments where contributors frequently create and modify content. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing, as attackers could use this flaw to craft malicious pages that appear legitimate to end users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2841 should begin with immediate patching of the Otter Blocks plugin to the latest available version, which should contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including strict role-based access controls, regular monitoring of plugin configurations, and comprehensive security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping practices in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content. Security teams should also establish procedures for regularly updating and monitoring WordPress plugins, as well as implementing automated scanning tools to detect similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. The incident highlights the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security practices and the importance of validating all user inputs before processing or storing them within web applications.