CVE-2024-43972 in PageLayer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Pagelayer Team PageLayer allows Stored XSS.This issue affects PageLayer: from n/a through 1.8.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-43972 represents a critical security flaw in the PageLayer WordPress plugin that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This issue manifests through improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk for websites utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of PageLayer ranging from an unspecified beginning version through 1.8.7, indicating a broad attack surface that could potentially impact numerous WordPress installations. The flaw resides in how the plugin handles user input when generating web pages, failing to properly neutralize malicious script content that could be injected by attackers. This weakness allows malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript code into the plugin's content management system, which then executes whenever legitimate users view affected pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the PageLayer plugin's web page generation engine. When users submit content through the plugin's interface, the system fails to sufficiently sanitize or escape potentially malicious input before storing it in the database. This stored content is then retrieved and rendered in subsequent page views without proper security measures to prevent script execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of stored XSS where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed against unsuspecting users. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated user with sufficient privileges to modify plugin content, though in some cases the vulnerability may be exploitable by unauthenticated attackers depending on the specific implementation details.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-43972 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as stored XSS vulnerabilities can enable sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected websites, potentially allowing them to access user sessions, steal sensitive information, or modify website content. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious payload is injected, it continues to affect all users who view the affected pages until the vulnerability is patched or the malicious content is removed. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the plugin's content management features, as the attack surface expands with each authenticated user who might inadvertently encounter the malicious content.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the PageLayer plugin to version 1.8.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation on all user-submitted content, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of plugin installations. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution and limiting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that might indicate attempted XSS exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework category TA0001, this vulnerability represents an initial access vector that could lead to privilege escalation and lateral movement within affected environments, making it a critical target for immediate remediation and monitoring efforts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other installed plugins and themes that might present comparable risks to the web application's overall security posture.