CVE-2024-38682 in Post Layouts for Gutenberg Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Techeshta Post Layouts for Gutenberg allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Post Layouts for Gutenberg: from n/a through 1.2.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-38682 represents a critical security flaw in the Techeshta Post Layouts for Gutenberg plugin, specifically manifesting as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness enables stored cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious payloads can be persistently injected into the plugin's functionality and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user input during the generation of web pages, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and execute arbitrary code on victim browsers. The affected version range spans from an unspecified starting point through version 1.2.7, indicating that all iterations within this scope are vulnerable to the stored XSS attack pattern.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-site Scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping, or updates an existing web page with user-supplied data without proper sanitization. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed every time the affected page is accessed, unlike reflected XSS where the payload must be delivered through external means. The issue affects the Gutenberg editor environment, which is widely used for content creation in WordPress installations, amplifying the potential impact across numerous websites that rely on this popular content management framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-38682 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that can redirect users to phishing sites, steal sensitive information, or establish backdoors for persistent access. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the plugin's configuration or the plugin is updated, creating a long-term security risk for all users of the affected versions. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that use the Gutenberg editor for content management, which represents a significant portion of the WordPress ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-38682 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.2.8 or later, which presumably contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any instances of the vulnerable plugin and ensure all WordPress installations are updated to the latest secure versions. Additionally, implementing content security policies and input validation measures can provide additional defense layers against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, with specific techniques targeting XSS vulnerabilities in content management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress environments can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.