CVE-2024-29803 in FlatPM Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Mehanoid.Pro FlatPM allows Stored XSS.This issue affects FlatPM: from n/a before 3.1.05.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The CVE-2024-29803 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Mehanoid.Pro FlatPM software that enables stored XSS attacks, posing significant security risks to web applications utilizing this platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS variant where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed when users access affected pages. The flaw exists in FlatPM versions prior to 3.1.05, indicating that users running older iterations of this content management system are particularly susceptible to exploitation. The vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when input data is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject persistent scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are subsequently stored in the application's database or configuration files. When legitimate users view pages that contain this stored malicious content, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it affects multiple users over time. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or compromise user accounts, especially in environments where administrators or regular users interact with content generated by the vulnerable system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core web page generation functionality, making it a fundamental security weakness in the application's data handling processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-29803 extends beyond immediate exploitation scenarios to encompass long-term security degradation of affected systems. Organizations running FlatPM versions below 3.1.05 face potential data breaches, user privacy violations, and compliance violations under various security frameworks including gdpr, hipaa, and soc 2 requirements. The vulnerability creates persistent attack vectors that can be exploited for extended periods, allowing threat actors to maintain access to compromised systems. Security teams must consider the potential for lateral movement within networks if attackers gain access to administrative accounts through this vulnerability, as the stored XSS can be used to steal session cookies or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Additionally, the vulnerability may affect the integrity of web applications, potentially leading to defacement or the injection of malicious content that can propagate to other connected systems or users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-29803 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version updates to FlatPM 3.1.05 or later, which should contain the necessary input sanitization and output encoding fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided data before storage, utilizing proper encoding techniques such as html entity encoding, javascript escaping, and context-appropriate sanitization. Security measures should include content security policies that restrict script execution, implement proper output encoding in all web page generation processes, and establish robust monitoring for suspicious input patterns. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that all input handling processes properly neutralize malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough testing of all user input fields, form submissions, and content management interfaces to ensure that the fix effectively neutralizes the vulnerability across all application components.