CVE-2024-4366 in Spectra Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2024
The Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘block_id’ parameter in versions up to, and including, 2.13.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level permissions 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 • 05/23/2026
The Spectra WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions up to and including 2.13.0. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the 'block_id' parameter. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-provided data in the Gutenberg block creation and editing interfaces, where malicious input is not properly validated or escaped before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. Attackers with author-level permissions or higher can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts through the block_id parameter during the creation or modification of Gutenberg blocks. These scripts become permanently stored within the WordPress database and execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised blocks, regardless of whether the user has administrative privileges or not. The vulnerability's stored nature means that the malicious code persists until manually removed by administrators, making it particularly dangerous for long-term exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the WordPress environment. Once exploited, authenticated attackers can potentially escalate their privileges, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of other users, and access sensitive data. The vulnerability affects all users who view pages containing the malicious blocks, creating a broad attack surface that could compromise entire WordPress installations. The fact that this requires only author-level permissions makes it particularly concerning for sites with multiple content creators or contributors who may not have full administrative oversight.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Administrators should implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms for all user-provided data, following secure coding practices that prevent script injection attacks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user permissions to only what is necessary for their role within the WordPress environment. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks providing guidance for comprehensive protection strategies.