CVE-2024-2864 in Youzify Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in KaineLabs Youzify - Buddypress Moderation.This issue affects Youzify - Buddypress Moderation: from n/a through 1.2.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2864 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the KaineLabs Youzify - Buddypress Moderation plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.2.5. This weakness falls under the well-documented category of improper input neutralization during web page generation, a fundamental security vulnerability that enables malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning within the Buddypress ecosystem where user-generated content and moderation features are prevalent, as it could allow unauthorized individuals to compromise user sessions or manipulate content displayed to other users.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters within the plugin's web page generation logic. When users interact with moderation features or submit content through the Youzify plugin interface, the application processes user input without proper escaping mechanisms that would neutralize potentially harmful script tags or executable code. This failure to properly handle user input creates persistent injection points where attackers can embed malicious JavaScript code that executes whenever other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it occurs during the web page generation phase, meaning that the malicious code becomes part of the HTML response sent to browsers, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content at runtime. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially steal cookies, gain unauthorized access to user accounts, or redirect victims to malicious websites that appear legitimate. The impact is particularly severe in community-driven platforms where Buddypress moderation features are actively used, as the compromised plugin could affect numerous users simultaneously. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it attractive to threat actors who may use it to compromise user data or establish persistent access to the platform. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving client-side attacks and session management compromise, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within the network or escalate privileges through compromised user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2864 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as developers have likely released patches containing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters before processing user data, particularly within moderation interfaces where user-generated content is prevalent. Security teams should also deploy web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and establish regular security auditing practices to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution within the application context, while user education about suspicious content and regular security monitoring can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched plugin to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while addressing the XSS vulnerability.