CVE-2024-47341 in WP-DownloadManager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Lester Chan WP-DownloadManager wp-downloadmanager allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects WP-DownloadManager: from n/a through <= 1.68.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The CVE-2024-47341 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WP-DownloadManager plugin for WordPress systems. This reflected XSS vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when user input is improperly handled and subsequently rendered without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the WP-DownloadManager plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.68.8, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting WordPress installations. The flaw resides in the plugin's failure to properly neutralize input data that gets incorporated into dynamically generated web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within its web page generation routines. When users interact with the plugin's functionality, particularly through parameters that influence page content, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into HTML responses. This creates an environment where malicious input can be executed as scripts within the victim's browser context, as defined by the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script payload must be injected into the target application through a request that is immediately reflected back to the user, typically via URL parameters or form inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by authenticated users with appropriate privileges, would execute scripts to steal session cookies, modify plugin functionality, or redirect users to malicious domains. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning given that WP-DownloadManager is a widely used plugin, potentially affecting thousands of WordPress installations. This reflected XSS vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through drive-by compromises and could facilitate subsequent lateral movement or privilege escalation within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-47341 should prioritize immediate patching of the WP-DownloadManager plugin to versions that address the input sanitization flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that ensure all user-supplied data undergoes proper encoding before being incorporated into web page content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution, while regular security audits of plugin code can help identify similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of reflected XSS vulnerabilities, the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful attacks, ensuring that users cannot perform actions that would compromise the entire system.