CVE-2024-39656 in Tin Canny Reporting for LearnDash Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Uncanny Owl Tin Canny Reporting for LearnDash allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Tin Canny Reporting for LearnDash: from n/a through 4.3.0.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-39656 represents a critical security flaw in the Tin Canny Reporting for LearnDash plugin, specifically targeting the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This issue manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into dynamically generated web content without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The affected version range spans from an unknown initial version through 4.3.0.7, indicating a prolonged period during which the plugin was susceptible to this type of attack vector. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications where input data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input parameters and directs a victim to a specially crafted URL containing these parameters. When the victim's browser requests the page, the malicious script gets executed in the context of the victim's session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through email links, chat messages, or other social engineering techniques. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web page generation process where user input is not properly neutralized before being inserted into HTML output, creating an execution environment for malicious JavaScript code. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in learning management systems where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive educational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to fully compromise user sessions and potentially gain access to the underlying learning management system. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify user permissions, access confidential course materials, or even execute administrative commands if the victim has elevated privileges. The reflected nature of the attack means that the vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including phishing campaigns, social engineering, or by embedding malicious links in external communications. Organizations using Tin Canny Reporting for LearnDash in environments with sensitive educational data face significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited to access student records, course content, or administrative functions. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the security posture of educational institutions relying on LearnDash for their learning management needs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-39656 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the reflected XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed in web pages. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and employing proper HTML encoding for all user-supplied input before rendering in web pages. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns and conduct regular security assessments of their learning management systems. Additionally, user education regarding phishing attempts and suspicious links should be emphasized to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for spearphishing via email highlights the importance of email security controls and user awareness training. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date security patches for all components of their educational technology infrastructure. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or components that may be susceptible to similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.