CVE-2024-4627 in Rank Math SEO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/02/2024
The Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin before 1.0.219 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow users with access to the General Settings (by default admin, however such access can be given to lower roles via the Role Manager feature of the Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin before 1.0.219) to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4627 affects the Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin version 1.0.219 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting flaws. This issue specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings within the General Settings interface, where insufficient sanitization and escaping of input data creates persistent XSS attack vectors that can be exploited by authenticated users with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates even when the WordPress environment has restricted the unfiltered_html capability, which typically prevents users from injecting malicious scripts into posts and pages, yet the plugin's settings remain vulnerable to such attacks.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user inputs when processing settings modifications within the WordPress admin interface. This oversight allows malicious actors who have gained access to the plugin's General Settings to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the plugin's configuration storage. When other users access these settings pages or when the plugin's settings are rendered in the frontend, the stored malicious scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting issue, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS attack where malicious code is permanently stored on the server and executed when accessed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent footholds within WordPress environments where the Rank Math SEO plugin is installed. Attackers with access to the General Settings can manipulate plugin configurations to redirect users to malicious sites, inject tracking scripts, or perform more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multisite configurations where the unfiltered_html capability may be restricted but plugin settings remain accessible to users with lower roles who have been granted access through the plugin's Role Manager feature. This creates a scenario where users with minimal privileges can potentially compromise the entire network of sites within a multisite installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-4627 require immediate action to upgrade the Rank Math SEO plugin to version 1.0.219 or later, which includes proper sanitization and escaping of user inputs in the plugin's settings handling. Organizations should also implement strict role-based access controls to limit who can modify plugin settings, particularly within multisite environments where the risk of privilege escalation is heightened. Security monitoring should include regular checks for unauthorized modifications to plugin settings, and administrators should consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls or content security policies to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique through web application vulnerabilities highlights the need for comprehensive security auditing of all WordPress plugins, particularly those with administrative capabilities that can affect the entire site environment.