CVE-2024-33952 in Unique Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Justin Tadlock Unique allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Unique: from n/a through 0.3.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-33952 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Justin Tadlock Unique plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 0.3.0. This stored XSS flaw occurs during the web page generation process when user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to neutralize malicious script content submitted by attackers, creating a persistent security risk within the affected plugin ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when malicious payloads are stored within the plugin's data storage mechanisms and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting crafted script code through input fields or parameters that the plugin processes and stores without proper sanitization. When other users access pages containing this stored malicious content, their browsers execute the embedded scripts within the context of the vulnerable website, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing sensitive information, or redirecting users to malicious domains.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or escaping, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability places it within the category of persistent cross-site scripting attacks where malicious code remains embedded in the application's database or storage systems. From an operational perspective, this weakness significantly impacts user trust and data integrity, as it enables attackers to compromise multiple users over time rather than requiring individual exploitation for each victim.
The security implications extend beyond simple script execution, as this vulnerability can facilitate session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks. Attackers leveraging this stored XSS could potentially escalate privileges, manipulate user data, or establish persistent access points within the affected web applications. The vulnerability affects WordPress users running the Unique plugin, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited across multiple websites utilizing this specific plugin version range. Organizations must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their web application security posture, particularly in environments where user-generated content is processed and displayed without adequate sanitization controls.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the Unique plugin to versions that address the input sanitization flaws, implementing comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms, and establishing robust content security policies. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious input patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party plugins. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing that all user-supplied data must be treated as potentially malicious until properly validated and sanitized.