CVE-2024-37552 in Social Media & Share Icons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Inisev Social Media & Share Icons allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Social Media & Share Icons: from n/a through 2.9.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue exists within the Inisev Social Media & Share Icons plugin where user input is not properly sanitized during the web page generation process. This allows malicious actors to store malicious code within the plugin's configuration or content fields, which then executes whenever other users view affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack because the malicious payload persists on the server and affects multiple users rather than requiring immediate interaction with a specific page. The affected version range spans from the initial release through version 2.9.1, indicating this flaw has been present for an extended period and likely affects numerous installations across different WordPress environments. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental security practices in web application development.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-provided data within the plugin's administrative interfaces and front-end rendering components. When administrators configure social media sharing buttons or manage plugin settings, input fields that accept URLs, custom CSS, or JavaScript code are not properly validated or escaped before being stored in the database. This creates a persistent attack vector where malicious scripts can be embedded in legitimate plugin functionality. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications, and more broadly with CWE-20 which covers improper input validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts into URL fields or other configurable elements, potentially gaining access to user sessions, stealing cookies, or redirecting visitors to malicious sites. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that even if the initial injection occurs during plugin configuration, the malicious code continues to execute for every user who accesses affected pages until the vulnerability is patched.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that can compromise entire WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage the stored XSS to steal administrator credentials, modify content, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected websites. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used social media sharing plugin increases the attack surface significantly, as many websites rely on such functionality and may not have robust security monitoring in place. This creates a substantial risk for businesses and organizations that depend on WordPress for their online presence, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or manipulate public-facing content. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to threat actors who may not have advanced penetration testing skills. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing with Social Engineering) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can use the XSS to execute malicious commands and establish persistence within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary solution involves updating to the latest version of the Social Media & Share Icons plugin where the XSS vulnerability has been patched through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of the application, ensuring that all user-provided data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for stored XSS vulnerabilities in plugin configurations and content management systems. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, using web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for plugin administration, limiting the ability to inject code to only trusted administrators. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in WordPress environments and demonstrates why automated security scanning and patch management are essential components of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.