CVE-2024-39682 in Cooked Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2024
Cooked is a recipe plugin for WordPress. The Cooked plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to HTML Injection in versions up to, and including, 1.7.15.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access and above to inject arbitrary HTML in pages that will be shown whenever a user accesses a compromised page. This issue has been addressed in release version 1.8.0. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The Cooked WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2024-39682 represents a critical HTML injection flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically affects versions up to and including 1.7.15.4 of the Cooked recipe plugin, which is widely used for managing and displaying recipes within WordPress environments. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable vector that authenticated attackers can leverage to inject malicious HTML content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web pages. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that can be executed by other users who view the compromised pages. The vulnerability requires only contributor-level access or higher, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have relatively limited permissions within a WordPress site.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. When authenticated attackers exploit this flaw, they can inject arbitrary HTML content that will persistently appear whenever users access compromised pages. This persistent injection capability creates a vector for various attack scenarios including cross-site scripting attacks, session hijacking, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects pages that users regularly access, ensuring maximum exposure and potential damage.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through the ATT&CK framework's T1566.001 - Phishing with Social Engineering techniques, by injecting malicious HTML content that can redirect users to phishing sites or harvest credentials. The vulnerability also aligns with T1213.002 - Data from Information Repositories, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information from compromised pages. The fact that the vulnerability affects pages accessible to regular users makes it particularly effective for credential theft and other malicious activities.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading to version 1.8.0 or later, as this release contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins are updated regularly. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent HTML injection flaw makes it essential for administrators to conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations, particularly focusing on plugin security. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring user activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in WordPress environments, as even seemingly minor flaws can provide attackers with significant capabilities for compromising user data and system integrity.