CVE-2024-38703 in WP Event Aggregator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Xylus Themes WP Event Aggregator allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Event Aggregator: from n/a through 1.7.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WP Event Aggregator plugin developed by Xylus Themes, specifically impacting versions through 1.7.9. The issue stems from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack vector, meaning that the malicious input is permanently stored on the server and then served to other users when they access affected pages, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests when user input is not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in web pages generated by the plugin. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through various input fields within the event management system. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where input data is not adequately escaped or filtered before being included in dynamic web content. The flaw occurs during the web page generation phase, specifically when the plugin processes event data that includes user-supplied content such as event descriptions, locations, or other editable fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress sites utilizing the WP Event Aggregator plugin, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of authenticated users. This could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, redirect them to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected web applications. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it will affect all users who view the affected pages without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. Attackers could potentially compromise user accounts, access sensitive event data, or manipulate the event calendar functionality to spread malware throughout the organization's digital infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the WP Event Aggregator plugin to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Administrators should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side sanitization of all user inputs. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities, with particular attention to plugins handling user-generated content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect suspicious patterns that may indicate XSS attack attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers might exploit this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised event data, and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as the attack vector specifically leverages JavaScript execution capabilities within web browsers.