CVE-2024-44059 in Custom Query Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Ronald Huereca Custom Query Blocks post-type-archive-mapping allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Custom Query Blocks: from n/a through <= 5.3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44059 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Ronald Huereca Custom Query Blocks plugin, specifically impacting the post-type-archive-mapping functionality. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which occurs when web applications fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability manifests as a DOM-Based XSS attack, meaning the malicious script is executed within the victim's browser through manipulation of the Document Object Model rather than traditional server-side injection methods. The affected plugin version range indicates that all versions up to and including 5.3.1 remain vulnerable, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this particular plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input neutralization during web page generation processes within the custom query blocks functionality. When users interact with post-type-archive-mapping features, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-provided parameters that are subsequently rendered in the browser DOM. This creates an attack vector where malicious actors can inject malicious JavaScript code through carefully crafted input parameters that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The DOM-Based nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is processed by the browser's JavaScript engine rather than being stored on the server, making detection more challenging and potentially allowing for more sophisticated attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of affected websites. Attackers could potentially steal user session cookies, redirect victims to phishing sites, modify page content, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's presence in the post-type-archive-mapping functionality suggests that any website utilizing custom query blocks for displaying archive pages or post collections could become a target. This creates a significant risk for content management systems where user-generated content or administrative inputs might be processed through this vulnerable code path, potentially affecting not just individual users but entire user bases of WordPress installations.
Organizations and system administrators should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to the latest version of the Custom Query Blocks plugin where the XSS flaw has been addressed. The mitigation strategy should include implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments across all installed plugins and themes to identify potential DOM-Based XSS vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar ways. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and other browser security mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Establishing Persistence and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patch management to protect against sophisticated attack campaigns targeting web application vulnerabilities.