CVE-2024-35643 in WP Back Button Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/03/2024
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Xabier Miranda WP Back Button allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Back Button: from n/a through 1.1.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The CVE-2024-35643 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in the WP Back Button WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 1.1.3. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this particular plugin. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are accessed by other users, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrative privileges may be compromised.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of user input fields that are improperly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. When users interact with the plugin's functionality, particularly when entering data that gets persisted in the database, the malicious script code remains stored and executes in the context of other users' browsers. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not limited to a single session or request but remains active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who access pages containing the vulnerable content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws, and demonstrates how inadequate input validation can lead to persistent security breaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-35643 extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious code that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability's presence in the WP Back Button plugin creates a persistent backdoor for attackers, as the stored scripts execute automatically whenever affected pages are loaded, making detection and remediation more challenging. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress is used for content management, as it could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-35643 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as vendors typically release patches to resolve such issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations, particularly focusing on user-generated content that gets stored in databases. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits should include thorough examination of all installed plugins for known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques that target web application vulnerabilities and user interaction exploits. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues across the entire web application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against persistent security threats.