CVE-2024-47372 in TNC PDF viewer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in ThemeNcode LLC TNC PDF viewer allows Stored XSS.This issue affects TNC PDF viewer: from n/a through 3.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-47372 represents a critical security flaw in the TNC PDF viewer plugin developed by ThemeNcode LLC. This issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically enabling stored cross-site scripting attacks that can persist across user sessions. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data during PDF viewer page construction, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent script code into the application's output. The affected version range spans from an unspecified starting point through version 3.1.0, indicating that all versions within this release cycle are potentially vulnerable to this attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters that are subsequently rendered within web pages generated by the TNC PDF viewer. When users interact with the plugin's functionality, particularly when processing PDF documents or submitting form data, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-provided content before incorporating it into dynamic HTML output. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored within the application's database or processing environment. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script will execute every time affected pages are loaded, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users access the same content or where administrators interact with potentially compromised data. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates persistent attack vectors that can compromise user sessions and enable further exploitation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers, potentially gaining access to sensitive session cookies, personal information, or administrative privileges depending on the user's role within the application. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even users who do not directly interact with the compromised functionality can be affected when they view pages containing the malicious content. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and persistence of the threat, as the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the application's data stores. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious HTML files for initial access, and T1059.007, which involves the execution of scripts through web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-47372 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining the affected WordPress environment. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest available version of the TNC PDF viewer plugin, as this should contain the necessary patches to address the input sanitization flaws. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures at multiple layers of their application architecture to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all user-supplied content processing within their applications and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other third-party plugins or custom code components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent attack vectors.