CVE-2024-37480 in Apollo13 Framework Extensions Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Apollo13Themes Apollo13 Framework Extensions apollo13-framework-extensions allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Apollo13 Framework Extensions: from n/a through 1.9.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37480 represents a critical security flaw in the Apollo13 Framework Extensions plugin, specifically within the apollo13-framework-extensions component. This issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. The vulnerability exists in versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 1.9.3, indicating a broad affected scope that spans multiple releases of the framework extensions. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed, making it particularly dangerous for websites that rely on user-generated content or administrative inputs.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user inputs that are subsequently rendered in web page contexts without proper escaping or encoding mechanisms. When administrators or users submit content through forms, comments, or other input mechanisms within the Apollo13 Framework Extensions, the plugin fails to properly neutralize potentially malicious script content before storing and displaying it. This failure directly violates established security principles for input validation and output encoding, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can be executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web page generation process where user inputs are incorporated into dynamic HTML content without adequate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as stored XSS attacks can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious JavaScript code in the context of any user who views the affected pages, potentially gaining access to administrative sessions, stealing cookies, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious payload is injected, it continues to affect users until manually removed from the database or the vulnerability is patched, creating a long-term security risk for affected websites. This vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress installations using the Apollo13 Framework Extensions, where the attack surface includes various content management functions and administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37480 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.9.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided content before storage, utilizing established encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for dynamic content rendering. Security professionals should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities and monitor for suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious scripts and potentially escalate privileges through session manipulation. Organizations should also conduct thorough security audits of their web applications to identify similar input validation gaps and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.