CVE-2024-37947 in Tutor LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Themeum Tutor LMS allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Tutor LMS: from n/a through 2.7.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37947 represents a critical security flaw in the Themeum Tutor LMS platform that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can affect users across multiple versions of the learning management system. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that are then stored on the server and executed whenever other users view affected pages, making it particularly dangerous for educational institutions and organizations relying on the platform for course delivery and user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Tutor LMS framework. When users submit content through various interface elements such as course descriptions, user profiles, or comment sections, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious input before storing it in the database. This stored data is then subsequently rendered in web pages without proper context-aware escaping, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute in the browser context of legitimate users. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of stored XSS where the malicious payload persists in the application's database rather than being executed through a single request.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the platform. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that can harvest user sessions, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the learning management system interface to gain unauthorized access to sensitive educational content. The affected range spanning from unspecified versions through 2.7.2 indicates that a substantial portion of the user base remains vulnerable, particularly given the widespread adoption of Tutor LMS in educational environments. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations using the platform for online learning, as it can compromise the integrity of student data, course materials, and instructor credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37947 should prioritize immediate patch application from Themeum, as this represents the most effective defense against the stored XSS attack vector. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy implementations to reduce the attack surface. The implementation of proper parameterized queries and context-aware escaping mechanisms should be enforced throughout the application's data handling processes. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any additional input vectors that may present similar vulnerabilities, while also monitoring user-generated content for signs of exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and real-time monitoring solutions to detect and block malicious input patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to ATT&CK framework principles for web application security, specifically focusing on techniques related to command injection and XSS exploitation, ensuring that defensive measures are comprehensive and aligned with industry-standard security practices.