CVE-2024-3752 in Crelly Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
The Crelly Slider WordPress plugin through 1.4.5 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
The CVE-2024-3752 vulnerability affects the Crelly Slider WordPress plugin version 1.4.5 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings, where insufficient sanitization and escaping of input data creates persistent XSS attack vectors. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects high-privilege users such as administrators who typically possess elevated capabilities within the WordPress ecosystem. Even when the unfiltered_html capability is restricted - a common security practice in multisite configurations - the vulnerability persists, indicating that the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize user inputs at multiple points within its settings management interface. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms for user-modifiable parameters, allowing malicious scripts to be stored within the plugin's configuration and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's settings management system failing to properly process user inputs through WordPress's built-in sanitization functions. When administrators configure slider settings through the plugin's interface, the data is stored in the WordPress database without adequate sanitization measures. This creates a stored XSS scenario where malicious payloads can be injected into the plugin's configuration parameters and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the integrity of the WordPress admin interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or perform unauthorized actions within the administrative environment. The flaw is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS attack that persists in the database rather than being reflected in URLs or request parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3752 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers with admin-level access to compromise entire WordPress installations through lateral movement and privilege escalation. In multisite environments where the unfiltered_html capability is explicitly disabled for security reasons, the vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous as it circumvents these protective measures. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts that target other users who access the affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized content modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only administrative privileges within the WordPress environment, making it a significant threat vector for organizations that rely on WordPress for content management. The persistent nature of stored XSS attacks means that once the malicious payload is injected, it will continue to execute against all users who view affected pages until the payload is removed from the database.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3752 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement additional security measures including regular monitoring of plugin configurations, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script patterns, and conducting thorough security audits of WordPress installations. The WordPress security team recommends that administrators disable the Crelly Slider plugin immediately if they cannot update to a patched version, while also ensuring that user capabilities are properly restricted through WordPress's role management systems. Network-based protections such as content security policies can help mitigate the impact of successful XSS exploitation attempts, though these measures are reactive rather than preventive. Security professionals should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect similar sanitization flaws in other plugins and themes, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of issues affecting WordPress plugin development practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1546.001 for modification of system binaries and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the potential for privilege escalation and persistent access through the exploitation of such flaws.