CVE-2024-3648 in ShareThis Share Buttons
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2024
The ShareThis Share Buttons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'sharethis-inline-button' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.3.0 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 • 07/16/2025
The ShareThis Share Buttons plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3648, affecting all versions through 2.3.0. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's 'sharethis-inline-button' shortcode implementation. The flaw allows authenticated attackers possessing contributor-level privileges or higher to inject malicious scripts that persist in the plugin's configuration, making it a stored XSS vulnerability rather than a reflected one. The vulnerability specifically targets user-supplied attributes within the shortcode parameters, where the plugin fails to properly validate or escape input before rendering it in web pages. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise users who access pages containing the maliciously injected shortcode.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the CWE-79 pattern of cross-site scripting, where untrusted data flows from the application's input handling into the application's output generation without proper sanitization. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious shortcode attributes containing JavaScript code or other malicious payloads. When the shortcode is processed and rendered in web pages, the malicious code executes in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only contributor-level access, which is relatively common in WordPress installations, making it accessible to a broad range of potential attackers. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious code persists until manually removed, creating a long-term threat vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3648 extends beyond immediate script execution to encompass broader security implications for WordPress installations. Organizations using the affected plugin face potential data breaches, as attackers can exploit the vulnerability to steal user sessions, access sensitive content, or manipulate plugin functionality. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in environments where contributors have access to content management systems, as they might inject code that affects multiple users. The attack surface is broad since the shortcode can be placed in various content areas including posts, pages, and custom post types. Security teams must consider the potential for privilege escalation, as the injected scripts can potentially access other plugin features or WordPress core functionality. The vulnerability also impacts user trust, as compromised sites may redirect visitors to malicious domains or display fraudulent content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3648 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, following the principle of least privilege by restricting contributor-level access to only necessary functionality. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms at both the application and web server levels, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique of command and scripting interpreter can be mitigated through proper input validation that prevents malicious code injection. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual shortcode usage patterns and unauthorized modifications to plugin configurations. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress plugins and implementing robust security practices for user access control and input validation across all web applications.