CVE-2024-4377 in DOP Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2024
The DOP Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 1.2 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4377 affects the DOP Shortcodes WordPress plugin version 1.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back into the web page content. This allows authenticated users with the contributor role or higher privileges to inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever the affected content is viewed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper sanitization routines to shortcode parameters before incorporating them into HTML output. When administrators or contributors embed shortcodes containing malicious payloads, the plugin processes these inputs without sufficient validation, creating an environment where XSS attacks can be stored and executed repeatedly. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that contributors and above roles typically have sufficient privileges to create and modify content, making this attack vector particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress environments where content creators may not be fully trusted.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes WordPress sites to persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect visitors to malicious websites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once a malicious shortcode is injected, it continues to execute against all users who view the affected content without requiring additional user interaction. This characteristic aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and demonstrates how insufficient output escaping creates persistent attack surfaces. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection.
The security implications extend beyond immediate script execution as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, harvest cookies, or perform session hijacking against authenticated users. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites where the DOP Shortcodes plugin is installed and actively used, particularly those with multiple content contributors who may not be adequately vetted. Mitigation strategies include immediate plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize shortcode attributes, implementing additional input validation at the WordPress level, and restricting contributor privileges where possible. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code implementations. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices in web application development, particularly in CMS environments where user-generated content processing is common.