CVE-2024-37122 in Accordions Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Biplob Adhikari Accordions allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Accordions: from n/a through 2.3.5.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37122 represents a critical security flaw in the Accordions plugin developed by Biplob Adhikari, specifically manifesting as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness falls squarely within the category of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, more precisely categorized as stored XSS attacks that can persistently affect users interacting with vulnerable web applications. The vulnerability exists in versions of the Accordions plugin ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 2.3.5, indicating a broad scope of affected installations that could potentially expose numerous websites to malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's web page generation process. When users submit content through the accordion functionality, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious script code that could be embedded within user inputs. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected web pages. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent and can affect multiple users over time, unlike reflected XSS attacks that require specific user interaction to trigger.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for website administrators and their visitors. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of affected websites, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, or defacement of web content. The stored XSS nature means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it can affect all users who access the compromised pages until the vulnerability is patched. This persistent threat can remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain access to vulnerable systems and potentially escalate their privileges or access sensitive data. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data compromise to encompass broader threats to web application integrity and user trust. Organizations relying on the Accordions plugin for content management may find their websites compromised, leading to potential regulatory violations, loss of customer confidence, and financial losses. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used plugin, potentially exposing thousands of websites to coordinated attacks. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and prioritize its remediation as part of broader application security controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the 'Web Application Attack' domain, specifically relating to techniques that exploit input validation weaknesses to execute malicious code in user browsers. Organizations must implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper escaping of user-generated content, regular security updates, and thorough code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in their web applications.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and comprehensive input validation throughout the application. Regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in web applications.