CVE-2024-44042 in WP Datepicker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Fahad Mahmood WP Datepicker wp-datepicker allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Datepicker: from n/a through <= 2.1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44042 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Datepicker plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness stems from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the targeted system. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the WP Datepicker plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.1.1, indicating a broad scope of potential impact across multiple iterations of the software. The flaw manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious payloads can be permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever users access affected pages, rather than requiring immediate interaction with a malicious link.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. When users interact with the date picker functionality, the plugin processes input parameters without sufficient validation or encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through form fields or other input mechanisms. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected, it persists in the database and executes automatically whenever the affected page is rendered, making it particularly dangerous for websites that rely heavily on user-generated content or administrative input. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper neutralization of input during web page generation creates opportunities for attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress websites utilizing the affected plugin, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the impact extends beyond individual user interactions, as all visitors to pages containing the malicious code are exposed to the attack vector. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, as it leverages well-known XSS patterns and requires no complex attack chaining. The potential for data exfiltration and session hijacking makes this particularly concerning for websites handling sensitive user information or administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-44042 should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to correct the improper input neutralization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing interfaces to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components. Security measures including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits should be enhanced to detect and prevent such attacks. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all installed plugins and themes, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular monitoring for suspicious activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for valid accounts, as attackers may leverage stored XSS to gain persistent access and execute malicious commands within the victim environment.