CVE-2024-3514 in Responsive Tabs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Responsive Tabs plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the tabs_color value in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.6 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2026
The Responsive Tabs plugin for WordPress represents a widely used component for creating interactive tabbed interfaces on websites, yet it contains a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 4.0.6. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied attributes, specifically the tabs_color parameter. The flaw exists in the plugin's core functionality where it fails to properly validate or escape user input before storing and subsequently rendering it in web pages. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised tab elements. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level access or higher, meaning that users with relatively low privileges can leverage this weakness to compromise the entire website's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a code injection vulnerability occurring when untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The flaw manifests in the plugin's attribute processing logic where the tabs_color value is directly accepted from user input without sufficient sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected WordPress installation. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious scripts are permanently embedded in the database, making them persistent across server restarts and user sessions, thus amplifying the potential damage and persistence of the attack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to leverage the compromised website as a platform for more sophisticated attacks. An authenticated attacker with contributor privileges can inject scripts that redirect users to malicious domains, steal cookies, or even inject additional malicious code that could propagate to other parts of the website. This vulnerability creates a vector for privilege escalation and data exfiltration, as the injected scripts can access the victim's session cookies and potentially access sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly broad because the tabs_color parameter is likely used in various contexts throughout the plugin's functionality, meaning that a single injection point can affect multiple pages and user interactions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content, as users may unknowingly interact with compromised tab interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 4.0.7 or later, which presumably contains the necessary input validation and output escaping fixes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting contributor-level access to only essential functionality and monitoring for suspicious plugin usage patterns. The WordPress security team recommends applying the latest updates immediately, as the vulnerability affects the core plugin functionality and can be exploited by attackers with relatively low privileges. Regular security audits of installed plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and input validation should be enforced at multiple layers to prevent similar issues in other components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of user activities and plugin modifications to quickly identify potential exploitation attempts.