CVE-2024-3966 in Pray for Me Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2024
The Pray For Me WordPress plugin through 1.0.4 does not sanitise and escape some parameters, which could unauthenticated visitors to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks that trigger when an admin visits the Prayer Requests in the WP Admin
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The CVE-2024-3966 vulnerability affects the Pray For Me WordPress plugin version 1.0.4 and earlier, presenting a critical cross-site scripting weakness that exploits insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-provided parameters, specifically within the prayer request functionality that administrators access through the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into prayer requests that will execute when administrators view these requests in the admin panel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user input before rendering it in administrative contexts. When visitors submit prayer requests through the frontend interface, the plugin stores these inputs without adequate filtering or escaping, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vector. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the privileged access of administrators who view the prayer requests, effectively allowing attackers to execute malicious code in the context of the admin user's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a core component of the OWASP Top Ten security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation. When administrators view the prayer requests containing malicious scripts, these scripts execute in their browser with full administrative privileges, potentially allowing attackers to modify content, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even install malware. The attack requires no authentication from the malicious actor, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can submit prayer requests through the public interface. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables both user manipulation and code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Pray For Me plugin to version 1.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and escaping fixes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as input validation at multiple layers, output escaping for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The WordPress security team recommends monitoring for unauthorized modifications to plugin files and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and conduct regular security assessments of all plugins and themes to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping practices, which are fundamental requirements for preventing cross-site scripting attacks according to industry security standards and best practices.