CVE-2024-3883 in 3D FlipBook Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The 3D FlipBook plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Bookmark URL field in all versions up to, and including, 1.15.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3883 affects the 3D FlipBook plugin for WordPress, a popular tool used for creating interactive digital publications within WordPress environments. This plugin allows users to generate flipbook-style content that mimics the appearance of physical books, making it particularly valuable for publishing portfolios, manuals, and other document collections. The flaw resides specifically within the Bookmark URL field functionality, which enables users to create bookmarks within their digital publications. This particular vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that has existed in all versions of the plugin up to and including version 1.15.4, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators and security professionals who maintain sites using this plugin.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When authenticated attackers with author-level privileges or higher submit malicious content through the Bookmark URL field, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before storing it in the database. Additionally, the plugin does not adequately escape the stored data when it is subsequently rendered on web pages, creating an environment where malicious scripts can persist and execute. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability operates through a classic attack vector where the malicious payload is stored server-side and then executed whenever any user accesses a page containing the compromised bookmark data, regardless of whether that user has elevated privileges or not.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data corruption or display issues. An attacker with author-level access can craft malicious bookmark URLs that contain JavaScript payloads designed to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The fact that this vulnerability affects authenticated users with author-level access means that attackers can potentially leverage this weakness to gain further access to WordPress administrative functions, especially if they can manipulate other aspects of the site. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the malicious code continues to execute every time affected pages are loaded, potentially allowing for long-term surveillance or exploitation of site visitors. This vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress sites that rely heavily on user-generated content or collaborative editing environments where multiple authors contribute to publications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching of the 3D FlipBook plugin to the latest version where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed. WordPress administrators should ensure they maintain an updated inventory of all installed plugins and themes, implementing automated update mechanisms where possible. Input validation and output escaping should be strengthened at the application level, with proper sanitization routines applied to all user-submitted data before storage. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting author-level access to only those users who require it for their specific tasks. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of defense against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also consider monitoring their WordPress installations for suspicious activity and implementing regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution through web applications. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests containing potential XSS payloads, providing an additional defensive layer against exploitation attempts.