CVE-2024-33695 in Fan Page Widget by Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in ThemeNcode Fan Page Widget by ThemeNcode allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Fan Page Widget by ThemeNcode: from n/a through 2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-33695 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ThemeNcode Fan Page Widget plugin for WordPress. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during the web page generation process, allowing malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the plugin's functionality. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the Fan Page Widget plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.0, creating a substantial attack surface for potential exploitation. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, which directly aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets stored within the plugin's database or configuration settings. When other users view pages that utilize the Fan Page Widget, the stored malicious script executes within their browser context, 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 can affect multiple users over time. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing via Service, as it enables attackers to create malicious web pages that can be used for social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but also the overall integrity of the website, as malicious scripts can modify content, redirect traffic, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Organizations using the affected plugin version face significant risk of data breaches, reputation damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's persistence through version 2.0 indicates a long-standing issue that was not properly addressed in the plugin's development lifecycle, highlighting inadequate security testing and code review processes.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version where the vulnerability has been patched, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, content security policies to restrict script execution, and regular security audits of installed plugins. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a replacement for proper code fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive security testing practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.