CVE-2024-29097 in User Profile Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in PickPlugins User profile allows Stored XSS.This issue affects User profile: from n/a through 2.0.20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the PickPlugins User profile component that enables stored XSS attacks. The vulnerability occurs during web page generation when user input is not properly sanitized or neutralized before being rendered back to users. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are loaded. The flaw affects all versions from the initial release through version 2.0.20, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where input is not properly neutralized during web page generation. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the user profile module. When users submit data through the profile interface, the application fails to properly sanitize special characters and script tags that could be used to execute malicious code. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload is saved in the database and executed against all users who view the affected profile pages. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can potentially steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, redirect them to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability's persistence makes it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any organization using the PickPlugins User profile component. Attackers can leverage this flaw to conduct session hijacking attacks, steal sensitive user information, and potentially compromise the entire user base that interacts with affected profile pages. The stored nature means that even users who are not actively logged in can be affected when they view compromised profiles. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal ramifications from data breaches resulting from this vulnerability. The impact is amplified in environments where user profiles contain sensitive personal or business information. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate remediation, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and data within the application environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The primary fix involves ensuring that all user input is properly escaped or encoded before being stored in the database and rendered back to users. This includes implementing strict validation of input formats, utilizing secure coding practices that prevent script execution in user-facing content, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, conduct regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing, and establish proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all input handling mechanisms, implementation of proper HTML escaping libraries, and regular security training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future releases. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date security patches and monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in third-party components is essential for comprehensive protection against this class of attack.