CVE-2024-4384 in CSSable Countdown Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2024
The CSSable Countdown WordPress plugin through 1.5 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2025
The CVE-2024-4384 vulnerability affects the CSSable Countdown WordPress plugin version 1.5 and earlier, presenting a critical stored cross-site scripting risk that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings, where insufficient sanitization and escaping of input data creates persistent XSS attack vectors. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows users with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, even when WordPress security measures such as the unfiltered_html capability are properly restricted.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input within its settings management interface. When administrators configure countdown settings through the plugin's administrative panels, the input values are stored in the database without adequate sanitization processes. This oversight creates a persistent XSS vulnerability where malicious scripts can be stored and executed whenever affected pages are loaded, regardless of the standard WordPress security restrictions that typically prevent such attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the plugin's user interface components where configuration data is processed and rendered.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and potentially gain full administrative control over affected WordPress installations. In multisite environments where the unfiltered_html capability is explicitly disabled, this vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous as it circumvents the intended security controls that should prevent high-privilege users from injecting malicious content. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts persist and can affect multiple users over time, making it a persistent threat to the security of the entire WordPress network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.6 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization and escaping fixes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized changes to plugin configurations, and ensuring that only trusted administrators have access to plugin settings. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement network monitoring to detect suspicious activities related to the affected plugin.