CVE-2024-37264 in Groundhogg Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Groundhogg Inc. Groundhogg allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Groundhogg: from n/a through 3.4.2.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Groundhogg plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 3.4.2.3. The flaw resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability is classified as reflected XSS, meaning that malicious input is immediately reflected back in the application's response without adequate sanitization or encoding measures. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a well-documented and severe security concern in web application development.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious URLs or input parameters that, when processed by the Groundhogg plugin, will execute unintended JavaScript code in the victim's browser. When a user visits a specially crafted URL containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly encode or sanitize the input before rendering it in the web page, enabling the script to execute in the context of the user's session. This reflected nature means that the malicious script does not need to be stored on the server but is instead delivered via the web application's response to a crafted request, making it particularly dangerous for users who might inadvertently click on malicious links shared through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, manipulate application data, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, particularly if the affected plugin is used for email marketing or user management functions within WordPress. The vulnerability affects the core web application functionality and can compromise the integrity of user sessions, potentially leading to full account takeovers or data breaches. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001, which covers phishing techniques, as attackers can use this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through deceptive means. The reflected nature of the XSS also aligns with T1203, which involves exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Groundhogg plugin to version 3.4.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, ensuring that all user-provided data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices, as specified in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, where improper input handling consistently ranks among the most prevalent web application security risks. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain awareness of emerging threats targeting popular web applications and plugins.