CVE-2024-38679 in Animated Typed JS Shortcode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Yongki Agustinus Animated Typed JS Shortcode allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Animated Typed JS Shortcode: from n/a through 2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38679 represents a critical security flaw in the Animated Typed JS Shortcode plugin developed by Yongki Agustinus. This issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically enabling stored cross-site scripting attacks that can persist across user sessions and affect multiple visitors to the compromised website. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data during the dynamic generation of web content, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond typical transient XSS scenarios.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of input parameters within the shortcode functionality. When users provide content through the plugin's interface, the system fails to properly escape or filter potentially malicious script code that could be embedded within the input fields. This improper handling allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored within the plugin's data structures and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered to other users. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, making it a direct descendant of well-established input validation weaknesses that have plagued web security for decades.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised WordPress environment. The persistence of stored XSS means that malicious payloads remain active until explicitly removed by administrators, creating a continuous threat vector that can affect numerous users over extended periods. This vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress sites using the Animated Typed JS Shortcode plugin, where users with appropriate permissions can inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious code through legitimate plugin functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected administrators, including updating to the latest version of the Animated Typed JS Shortcode plugin where the XSS flaw has been addressed. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms, regularly audit plugin installations for known vulnerabilities, and maintain up-to-date security monitoring tools. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, indicating that attackers can use this flaw to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads within the target environment. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers as an additional defense-in-depth measure to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if the primary vulnerability is not immediately patched.