CVE-2024-3208 in Sydney Toolbox Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Sydney Toolbox plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's Filterable Gallery widget in all versions up to, and including, 1.28 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The Sydney Toolbox plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3208 affecting all versions up to and including 1.28. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's Filterable Gallery widget functionality, where inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly validate user-supplied attributes. The flaw represents a significant security weakness that directly impacts the integrity and safety of WordPress installations using this plugin. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts in the context of affected websites, potentially compromising user sessions and data confidentiality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user input parameters within the Filterable Gallery widget implementation. When authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher submit content through the plugin's interface, their input is not adequately sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. This failure in input validation creates an environment where malicious scripts can be permanently embedded within the website's content, making the vulnerability persistent and difficult to detect. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws resulting from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3208 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the WordPress environment. Authenticated attackers with contributor privileges can inject malicious code that executes whenever legitimate users access pages containing the injected content. This creates a vector for session hijacking, data theft, and potential lateral movement within the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate execution environment but also poses risks to the broader WordPress ecosystem, as the injected scripts can target other users with varying privilege levels.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it requires only contributor-level access to exploit, which is often granted to trusted users within WordPress environments. This low privilege requirement significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability more accessible to potential attackers. The stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that once injected, malicious scripts remain active until manually removed, creating a persistent threat that can be leveraged for extended periods. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability can be exploited through the standard WordPress administrative interface, making detection and prevention more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3208 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement strict access controls and limit contributor privileges to only trusted individuals who require such permissions. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should include validation of input handling and output escaping mechanisms. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor for any indicators of compromise and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other installed plugins or themes that may present analogous security risks.