CVE-2024-3998 in Betheme Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2024
The Betheme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via several of the plugin's shortcodes in all versions up to, and including, 27.5.6 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-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 • 03/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3998 affects the Betheme WordPress theme, specifically targeting versions through 27.5.6, creating a critical stored cross-site scripting risk that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. This flaw resides within the theme's shortcode implementation where insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly validate user-supplied attributes. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that directly impacts the integrity of WordPress installations using this theme, as it allows malicious actors with contributor-level privileges or higher to inject persistent malicious scripts into web pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the theme's failure to adequately sanitize and escape user input parameters that are processed through various shortcodes. When authenticated users with contributor permissions or above submit content containing malicious scripts through these vulnerable attributes, the theme does not properly filter or escape the input before storing it in the database. This stored malicious content then executes whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected scripts, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users within the same WordPress installation. The flaw operates as a classic stored XSS attack where the malicious payload is saved server-side and executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify content, or even compromise the entire WordPress installation. The fact that this vulnerability requires only contributor-level access makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who typically have limited permissions within the system, potentially allowing for unauthorized modifications to website content and user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3998 should prioritize immediate theme updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including role-based access control reviews, monitoring for suspicious user activities, and regular security audits of WordPress themes and plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity best practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through web application exploitation, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on WordPress for content management and user interaction.