CVE-2024-34571 in Himalayas Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in ThemeGrill Himalayas allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Himalayas: from n/a through 1.3.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-34571 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the ThemeGrill Himalayas WordPress theme, classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This stored XSS vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are rendered to users. The vulnerability exists within the theme's handling of user-supplied input during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple users simultaneously.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user input parameters within the Himalayas theme's backend processing mechanisms. When users submit content through forms or other interactive elements, the theme fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious javascript payloads that are then stored in the database and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Himalayas theme from the initial release through version 1.3.0, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability is significant and multifaceted. Attackers can leverage this weakness to steal user sessions, credentials, or sensitive information from authenticated users who view compromised pages. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting numerous users over extended periods. This vulnerability can be exploited to perform actions on behalf of users, redirect them to malicious sites, or extract cookies and other session data that could be used for further attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress themes often handle user-generated content through various interface elements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-34571 should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to the latest version of the Himalayas theme where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in custom-developed applications. The mitigation approach should align with ATT&CK framework technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, as stored XSS can facilitate unauthorized access to user accounts. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, regularly auditing theme and plugin code for security vulnerabilities, and maintaining updated security monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and conducting regular security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their digital infrastructure.