CVE-2024-31092 in Comic Easel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Philip M. Hofer (Frumph) Comic Easel allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Comic Easel: from n/a through 1.15.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-31092 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Comic Easel WordPress plugin developed by Philip M. Hofer. This reflected XSS vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when the application fails to properly neutralize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The issue manifests specifically in the plugin's handling of parameters that are reflected back to users without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all versions of Comic Easel from the initial release through version 1.15, indicating a long-standing security gap that has persisted across multiple iterations of the software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper input validation and output encoding when processing user-supplied data. When malicious actors submit crafted input through URL parameters or form fields, the plugin reflects this data back to the user's browser without appropriate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and represents a classic reflected XSS attack vector that operates through the web application's user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks targeting administrators or regular users of affected websites. An attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by an unsuspecting user, would execute malicious JavaScript code in their browser context. This could result in unauthorized access to administrative functions, data exfiltration, or the installation of malware through browser-based attack vectors. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attacks are typically delivered through phishing emails, social engineering campaigns, or compromised links in forums and social media platforms, making them particularly difficult to detect and prevent. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics including spearphishing with a link.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Comic Easel plugin to the latest available version that addresses the XSS flaw. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, using web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, and conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unusual traffic patterns or potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches and that plugin updates are applied promptly to minimize exposure windows.