CVE-2024-44054 in Fluida Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in CryoutCreations Fluida allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Fluida: from n/a through 1.8.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44054 represents a critical security flaw in the CryoutCreations Fluida WordPress theme that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This weakness occurs during the web page generation process when user input is not properly sanitized or neutralized before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the Fluida theme ranging from the initial release through version 1.8.8, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting WordPress installations that utilize this theme.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the theme's codebase. When users submit content through various interactive elements such as comment forms, contact forms, or other user-generated content sections, the theme fails to properly sanitize this data before storing it in the database. This stored malicious input then gets executed when other users view the affected pages, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities arising from improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected user browsers. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and potential privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The stored nature of this XSS means that the attack persists even after the initial injection point, making it particularly dangerous for websites with active user communities or content management systems where multiple users interact with shared content. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors or conduct advanced persistent threat campaigns against the website's user base.
Organizations and website administrators should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the Fluida theme where this vulnerability has been addressed, implementing comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, and deploying web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input sanitization weaknesses in other components of the web application stack, as this type of vulnerability commonly occurs in content management systems where user input is frequently processed and displayed.