CVE-2024-37546 in Image Hover Effects Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in biplob018 Image Hover Effects - Caption Hover with Carousel allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Image Hover Effects - Caption Hover with Carousel: from n/a through 3.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the biplob018 Image Hover Effects - Caption Hover with Carousel plugin, which falls under the CWE-79 category of Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized during the web page generation process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts into the plugin's caption or hover effect fields, which are then stored in the database and executed whenever the affected pages are loaded. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 3.0.2, indicating a long-standing security gap that has not been addressed in the codebase. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because stored XSS attacks can persist for extended periods and affect multiple users who view the compromised content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the ATT&CK framework's T1531 technique for credential access through web application vulnerabilities. When users interact with the plugin's carousel or hover effects, the malicious scripts are executed in the context of other users' browsers, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The flaw occurs during the input processing phase where the plugin fails to properly escape or validate user-entered data before rendering it in HTML output. This failure creates a pathway for attackers to inject JavaScript payloads that can execute with the privileges of the affected users, potentially leading to full account compromise or privilege escalation within the affected web application. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious code remains persistent and can be triggered repeatedly without additional user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains within the target environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking, inject malicious advertisements, or even deploy additional malware through the compromised user sessions. The vulnerability affects WordPress environments where the plugin is installed, potentially compromising entire websites if administrators or users are not vigilant about input validation. The scope of impact includes not just the immediate plugin functionality but also any data processing or user interaction features that rely on the plugin's output. Organizations using this plugin may face regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage if users' sessions are compromised, as the vulnerability can be exploited to perform actions that appear to originate from legitimate users within the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate input sanitization and validation measures that align with OWASP's secure coding practices. The plugin developers should implement proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied content and utilize content security policies to prevent script execution. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS patterns in real-time, while also conducting regular security audits of installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defense-in-depth strategies including input validation, output encoding, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of entering untrusted content into web forms and the importance of keeping plugins updated to the latest secure versions. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential XSS vectors within the application environment, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security gaps in the codebase's input handling mechanisms.