CVE-2024-43305 in Custom Layouts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Code Amp Custom Layouts – Post + Product grids made easy allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Custom Layouts – Post + Product grids made easy: from n/a through 1.4.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that resides within the Code Amp Custom Layouts plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions through 1.4.11. The issue stems from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent stored XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious scripts within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious code into the plugin's layout generation system, which then gets stored and executed whenever users view affected pages, making it particularly dangerous for sites with multiple administrators or users who interact with the plugin's features.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied data for custom layout configurations, particularly in how it handles input validation for grid parameters and content fields. This weakness falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS vulnerability where malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and executed against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the OSI model, exploiting the web application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious scripts within the plugin's configuration parameters, which then get executed when legitimate users access pages that utilize the affected layouts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable complete session hijacking, data theft, and potential privilege escalation within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to administrator accounts, modify content, inject backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the affected site. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even users who do not directly interact with the vulnerable plugin features can be compromised when they visit pages that display the maliciously injected content. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and difficult to contain, as the malicious code persists in the database and executes automatically for all affected users without requiring additional user interaction.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.4.12 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including server-side sanitization of all user-supplied data and proper output encoding when rendering dynamic content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole protection mechanism. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for malicious code injection patterns within the plugin's configuration data, and administrators should review user permissions and implement principle of least privilege to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious inputs and T1071.001 for application layer protocols in executing malicious code within web applications.