CVE-2024-4208 in Gutenberg Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2024
The Gutenberg Blocks with AI by Kadence WP – Page Builder Features plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the typer effect in the advanced heading widget in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.37 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 • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4208 affects the Gutenberg Blocks with AI by Kadence WP plugin, specifically within its advanced heading widget functionality. This plugin serves as a page builder tool that enhances WordPress website creation capabilities through various customizable blocks and features. The flaw exists in the typer effect implementation which is designed to create dynamic text animations. The vulnerability manifests as a stored cross-site scripting issue that impacts all versions up to and including 3.2.37, making it a significant security concern for WordPress installations utilizing this plugin.
The technical root cause stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When users with contributor-level access or higher provide input through the advanced heading widget's typer effect feature, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape the user-supplied attributes before storing them in the database. This insufficient validation allows malicious scripts to be stored persistently within the WordPress content management system. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious code is saved in the database and executed whenever any user accesses a page containing the compromised content, regardless of their privilege level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised WordPress installations. Authenticated attackers with contributor privileges can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view pages containing the compromised content. This creates a vector for various attack scenarios including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of content, and potential escalation of privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate plugin functionality but also represents a broader security weakness in how user input is handled within the WordPress ecosystem, particularly in third-party plugin development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-4208 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability. Administrators should implement strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied content, particularly in plugin features that handle dynamic content rendering. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing with malicious attachments. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement proper content security policies. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessment procedures should be enhanced to detect unauthorized modifications to plugin files and user content. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and limiting contributor privileges where possible can reduce the attack surface and minimize potential damage from such vulnerabilities.