CVE-2024-3563 in Genesis Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
The Genesis Blocks plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's Sharing block in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.3 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The Genesis Blocks plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3563 affecting versions through 3.1.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's Sharing block functionality where insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly validate user-supplied attributes. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of data inputs that are subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate protection against malicious script injection attempts. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability creates a persistent threat where malicious scripts can be stored within the plugin's configuration and executed whenever affected pages are accessed by users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker possessing contributor-level privileges or higher within the WordPress environment. This access level requirement significantly reduces the attack surface while still maintaining a serious threat profile since contributors typically have the ability to create and modify content. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied attributes are processed through the Sharing block without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored within the plugin's data structures. When legitimate users access pages containing these malicious attributes, the stored scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3563 extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to more severe attacks. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that target specific user groups or execute commands that appear to originate from legitimate plugin functionality. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566.001 related to spearphishing attachments that could leverage such stored XSS vulnerabilities. The persistence of stored XSS makes this particularly dangerous as the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the plugin's configuration, potentially affecting all users who access the compromised pages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3563 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit contributor-level access to trusted personnel only. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual plugin configurations or content modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits of plugin configurations can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular vulnerability scanning to detect similar issues in other plugin components or custom code implementations.