CVE-2024-4277 in LearnPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
The LearnPress – WordPress LMS Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘layout_html’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.6.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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 • 03/31/2025
The LearnPress WordPress LMS plugin presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4277 affecting versions through 4.2.6.5. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of the 'layout_html' parameter. The flaw specifically targets authenticated users with contributor-level privileges or higher, creating a significant security risk within WordPress environments that utilize this learning management system. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database, making the malicious code execute whenever any user accesses affected pages containing the injected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input when processing the 'layout_html' parameter. This parameter likely serves to render HTML content within the learning management interface, but lacks proper validation and sanitization before storage. When authenticated users with contributor access or higher create or modify content using this parameter, their input is stored in the database without adequate filtering. The output escaping mechanism fails to properly encode or escape the stored content when rendered to users, creating the conditions for persistent XSS exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to neutralize input data before it is incorporated into dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the context of the compromised WordPress installation. An attacker with contributor-level access can inject scripts that may steal user sessions, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content displayed to other users, or even execute commands on the server if additional vulnerabilities exist. The persistence of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because the malicious code executes automatically for any user who accesses the affected pages, including administrators. This could lead to complete compromise of the WordPress site, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could use this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised content, and T1071.001 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, since the exploitation occurs through standard web application interfaces.
Organizations using LearnPress plugin versions up to 4.2.6.5 should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest plugin version that contains proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Until such an upgrade is possible, administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting contributor-level access to only essential functions, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and monitoring user activity for suspicious content modifications. The plugin developers should ensure proper implementation of input validation using WordPress's built-in sanitization functions, proper output escaping with wp_kses_post() or similar functions, and comprehensive testing of user input handling. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for malicious content in user-generated fields and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content in educational platforms where multiple user roles with varying privilege levels exist.