CVE-2024-29774 in WP Directory Kit Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WpDirectoryKit WP Directory Kit allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects WP Directory Kit: from n/a through 1.2.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability resides within the WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions through 1.2.9. The flaw manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a classic reflected XSS attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized or encoded before being reflected back in the application's response, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS patterns where malicious input is accepted through HTTP parameters or request fields and then directly embedded into dynamically generated web content without proper output encoding or sanitization measures. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute in the victim's browser context. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored on the server, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks through phishing emails or social engineering campaigns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing the WP Directory Kit plugin. Attackers could leverage this weakness to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the directory kit plugin, potentially compromising the integrity of user data and the overall security posture of the WordPress installation. Given that directory kits often contain user-generated content and may handle sensitive business information, the impact extends beyond simple script execution to potential data breaches and privilege escalation scenarios.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding functions before rendering any content, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and ensuring that the plugin follows secure coding practices as outlined in the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of WP Directory Kit where this vulnerability has been patched, while also implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing, highlighting the need for both technical and user awareness-based defenses.