CVE-2024-35718 in Newsletters Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Tribulant Newsletters allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Newsletters: from n/a through 4.9.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35718 represents a critical security flaw in the Tribulant Newsletters plugin for WordPress systems, specifically manifesting as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness creates a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue impacts all versions of the Newsletters plugin from the initial release through version 4.9.5, indicating a long-standing problem that has persisted across multiple iterations of the software. The vulnerability occurs within the web page generation process where user input is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. The reflected XSS characteristic means that malicious scripts are executed in the victim's browser through the exploitation of a web application's input handling mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious URLs or input parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, get reflected back to the user's browser without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that leverage the compromised user's privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker could potentially manipulate newsletter content, access administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need only convince victims to click on malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks. Given that newsletters are commonly used for business communications and may contain sensitive information, this vulnerability could expose organizations to data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-35718 should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to the latest available version of the Tribulant Newsletters plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement input validation and output encoding measures at multiple levels to prevent similar issues in other applications. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Network monitoring and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of reflected XSS vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that leverage such vulnerabilities.