CVE-2024-3671 in Print-O-Matic Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/22/2024
The Print-O-Matic plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'print-me' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.1.10 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes such as 'tag'. 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 • 06/08/2026
The Print-O-Matic WordPress plugin presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions through 2.1.10, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's 'print-me' shortcode implementation, specifically targeting user-supplied attributes including the 'tag' parameter. The flaw enables authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level privileges or higher to inject malicious web scripts into pages that will execute whenever any user accesses those compromised pages, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where contributors may have elevated access rights.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws occurring when untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user input before processing it within the shortcode attribute handling mechanism. When the 'tag' attribute receives user-supplied data, the plugin does not properly escape or validate this input before rendering it in the output HTML, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple page views. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected, it remains active until manually removed from the system, making it particularly insidious for attackers seeking long-term access to compromised sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, data exfiltration, and further privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Contributors with access to the plugin's shortcode functionality can leverage this vulnerability to inject scripts that target other users with higher privileges, potentially escalating their access level within the system. The vulnerability also poses risks to site integrity and user trust, as compromised pages may redirect users to malicious sites or display fraudulent content. Given that contributors often have significant access to content management features, this vulnerability can be exploited to modify content, create backdoors, or establish persistent access points within the WordPress installation, making it a serious concern for site administrators and security teams.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should begin with immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the sanitization and escaping issues. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures for all user-supplied parameters within shortcode implementations, ensuring that any data entering the system is properly sanitized before processing. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict contributor-level access to plugin functionality where possible, implementing the principle of least privilege to minimize potential attack vectors. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, preventing execution of unauthorized scripts even if XSS vulnerabilities exist elsewhere in the application. Regular security auditing of WordPress plugins and themes, along with monitoring for suspicious user activities, can help detect exploitation attempts and maintain overall system security posture. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms in all web application development.