CVE-2024-4398 in HTML5 Audio Player Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
The HTML5 Audio Player- Best WordPress Audio Player Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's widgets in all versions up to, and including, 2.2.19 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access 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 • 05/25/2026
The vulnerability identified in the HTML5 Audio Player WordPress plugin represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects all versions up to and including 2.2.19. This security weakness resides within the plugin's widget functionality where user-supplied attributes are not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of input data through its widget interface, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by authenticated users with contributor-level privileges or higher. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system and execute automatically when other users access pages containing the compromised content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When administrators or contributors create or modify audio player widgets through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the attributes provided by users before storing them in the database. This insufficient sanitization process creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious payloads can be stored and executed in the context of any user who views pages containing the compromised widget content. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack because the malicious code is saved to the server and executed against users who access the affected pages rather than requiring direct interaction with the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform various malicious activities within the context of the compromised WordPress installation. Attackers with contributor-level access can leverage this vulnerability to inject scripts that could steal user sessions, redirect visitors to malicious sites, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through the standard WordPress widget management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who typically have limited administrative capabilities. This vulnerability undermines the security model of WordPress installations where different user roles have distinct permission levels and access controls.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of established frameworks such as CWE 79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells and malicious scripts. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly innocuous plugin functionality can create significant security risks when proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms are not implemented. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, implementing additional input validation measures, and monitoring for suspicious widget modifications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to remain persistent within the WordPress environment, potentially enabling long-term access and data exfiltration capabilities.