CVE-2024-39663 in WP Fast Total Search Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Epsiloncool WP Fast Total Search fulltext-search.This issue affects WP Fast Total Search: from n/a through <= 1.68.232.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the WP Fast Total Search plugin for WordPress systems, specifically impacting versions through 1.68.232. The flaw represents a classic input sanitization failure where user-supplied data is not properly validated or escaped before being incorporated into dynamically generated web content. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-site Scripting, which is classified as a critical web application security weakness according to the CWE standard. The issue occurs during the web page generation process when search results or user input is rendered without proper HTML escaping mechanisms, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft search queries containing malicious payloads that will execute when other users view the search results page, potentially affecting all users who interact with the compromised search functionality. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges, as successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation and broader system compromise. The attack surface is amplified by the widespread adoption of WordPress plugins, making this vulnerability a significant concern for website administrators managing multiple sites. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing) and T1059.007 (Scripting) techniques, as it enables both user deception through malicious content and code execution within victim browsers.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released a security update. Administrators should implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of installed plugins. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual search patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential XSS-related security events. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, which are fundamental requirements in secure software development lifecycle processes. Regular security assessments of WordPress installations, including plugin and theme security reviews, should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.