CVE-2024-33562 in XStore Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in 8theme XStore allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects XStore: from n/a through 9.3.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists within the 8theme XStore WordPress theme and specifically affects versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through 9.3.5. The issue manifests as improper input neutralization during web page generation, creating an avenue for reflected cross-site scripting attacks where malicious payloads are executed in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into dynamically generated web content without proper encoding or validation. When a user visits a maliciously crafted URL containing XSS payloads, the vulnerable theme fails to adequately escape or filter the input before rendering it in the HTML output. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to WordPress admin panels or user accounts. Attackers can craft phishing URLs that appear legitimate to users, tricking them into executing malicious scripts that can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be delivered via a URL, making it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns or when combined with other attack vectors.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to a patched version of the XStore theme, as this represents the most direct and effective solution. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can help prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns, while implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities in browser environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, demonstrating the real-world implications of such vulnerabilities in modern web application security landscapes.