CVE-2024-35170 in Sticky banner Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Hidden Depth Sticky banner allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Sticky banner: from n/a through 1.2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35170 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Hidden Depth Sticky banner plugin, classified under CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple visitors over time. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a stored XSS attack vector, meaning malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed, rather than requiring immediate user interaction with a crafted link.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's web page generation process. When users submit content through the sticky banner interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored in the application's database or storage system. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Sticky banner plugin from the initial release through version 1.2.0, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple iterations without proper remediation.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can leverage this weakness to steal session cookies, authenticate as legitimate users, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that every visitor to pages containing the malicious content will be affected, creating a wide attack surface that can compromise numerous users simultaneously. Additionally, attackers could use this vulnerability to deface websites, redirect users to malicious domains, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 Credential Access through Session Hijacking, as it provides a pathway for unauthorized access to user sessions and credentials.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified weakness. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate and escape all user-provided content before storage or display, following secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing XSS attacks. Network-level protections such as Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should complement rather than replace proper input validation. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and web applications, ensuring that the entire attack surface remains protected against similar stored XSS threats that could compromise user data and system integrity.