CVE-2024-33642 in Advanced Post List Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in EkoJR Advanced Post List allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Advanced Post List: from n/a through 0.5.6.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-33642 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the EkoJR Advanced Post List WordPress plugin, specifically within the version range from an unspecified initial version through 0.5.6.1. This flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security flaw that occurs when applications fail to properly validate or escape user-provided input before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's web page generation process. When administrators or users interact with the plugin's functionality, particularly when creating or editing posts that utilize the advanced list features, malicious input containing script tags or other malicious code can be stored in the database without proper neutralization. This stored content is then served to other users who view the affected pages, executing the malicious script in their browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user-generated content that gets rendered in web pages, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content displayed to other users. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it will persistently affect all users who access the compromised pages until the malicious content is removed or the plugin is updated. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators or contributors interact with the plugin, as a single compromised user account can provide attackers with a foothold to affect the entire user base.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by updating to the latest version of the EkoJR Advanced Post List plugin where the XSS flaw has been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as content security policies that restrict script execution, regular monitoring of plugin updates, and input validation mechanisms that can help detect and block malicious payloads before they are stored. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and highlighting the need for comprehensive web application security testing to identify and remediate such persistent threats in content management systems.