CVE-2024-35751 in Woody Ad Snippets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Creative Motion, Will Bontrager Software, LLC Woody ad snippets allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Woody ad snippets: from n/a through 2.4.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Woody ad snippets plugin developed by Creative Motion and Will Bontrager Software LLC. The issue manifests as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent script code into web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the plugin ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 2.4.10, indicating a broad attack surface that could potentially impact numerous installations across different WordPress environments.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the plugin's ad snippet functionality. When users create or modify ad snippets through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize the input data before storing it in the database. This stored data is then subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate escaping or encoding, allowing malicious scripts to execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are loaded, rather than requiring a direct user interaction with a malicious link.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code in the context of authenticated users' browsers, enabling them to perform actions such as modifying or deleting content, stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even escalating privileges within the WordPress environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code persists until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who view the compromised pages. This type of vulnerability can significantly compromise the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress installations, particularly those using the affected plugin.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Woody ad snippets plugin where available, as this represents the most direct mitigation approach. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows patterns commonly associated with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities.