CVE-2024-37557 in WP Cookie Law Info Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Soham Web Solution WP Cookie Law Info allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Cookie Law Info: from n/a through 1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the WP Cookie Law Info plugin for wordpress systems, specifically targeting the improper handling of user input during web page generation processes. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever the affected page is loaded, creating a stored cross-site scripting scenario that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of cookie consent configuration parameters, where user-supplied input fails to undergo proper sanitization and validation before being rendered in web pages. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the cookie law information display mechanism and inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The issue affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 1.1, indicating a long-standing flaw that has not been properly addressed. According to the CWE database, this maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject malicious content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on credential access through web application vulnerabilities, as the stored XSS can be leveraged to steal authentication cookies and session tokens. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the cookie law compliance functionality, which typically operates in a trusted context within the user's browser, making the injected scripts more likely to execute successfully. The persistence of the vulnerability across multiple versions suggests inadequate security testing during the development lifecycle and highlights the importance of input validation in web applications. The flaw's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including phishing, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the compromised user's browser context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or filter user input before storing and subsequently rendering it in the cookie law information display. When administrators configure cookie consent settings or manage cookie policies through the wordpress admin interface, the plugin does not adequately sanitize the input data, allowing malicious payloads to be stored in the database. These payloads are then retrieved and displayed in subsequent page requests without proper HTML encoding or context-appropriate escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious script is saved server-side and executed every time the affected page is accessed by any user, rather than requiring a specific user interaction to trigger the payload. This persistent nature makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. Security researchers have identified that the plugin's cookie law information management interface does not implement proper content security policies or output encoding controls, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be seamlessly integrated into the web page rendering process. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be accomplished through the standard plugin administration interface, making it accessible to both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the plugin's configuration. The lack of input validation and output sanitization creates a direct pathway for malicious code injection that bypasses typical browser security mechanisms and allows for persistent execution within user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution and represents a significant threat to web application security and user privacy. Attackers can leverage this stored XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject malicious advertisements, or perform unauthorized actions within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the cookie law compliance functionality, which is designed to protect user privacy and ensure proper consent management. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of user sessions, enabling attackers to perform actions as authenticated users including modifying plugin settings, accessing sensitive data, or establishing persistent backdoors. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets administrative interfaces where users may have elevated privileges, potentially allowing for privilege escalation attacks. Organizations using the affected plugin may experience unauthorized access to their cookie law configuration data, leading to potential compliance violations and regulatory penalties. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to harvest sensitive information from users who interact with the compromised site, including personal data, authentication tokens, and potentially confidential business information. According to industry security standards, this vulnerability represents a critical risk that requires immediate remediation and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices throughout web application development. The persistent nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities makes them particularly attractive to attackers as they can maintain access to compromised systems over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation efforts. This vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins and the importance of maintaining updated security practices in wordpress environments. The impact on user trust and organizational reputation can be substantial, as users may lose confidence in the security of the website's cookie management functionality and the overall security posture of the organization.