CVE-2024-4749 in wp-eMember Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
The wp-eMember WordPress plugin before 10.3.9 does not sanitize and escape the "fieldId" parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4749 affects the wp-eMember WordPress plugin version 10.3.8 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes users to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of the "fieldId" parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's administrative interface where user input is processed without proper sanitization measures, making it susceptible to exploitation by attackers who can craft malicious URLs containing crafted script payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into HTML output contexts. When the "fieldId" parameter is passed through the application's request handling mechanism, it undergoes insufficient validation and escaping processes that would normally prevent malicious script execution. This represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user's browser through the application's response, bypassing standard security controls that would typically prevent such code injection attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates a clear breakdown in the principle of least privilege and secure input handling practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a phishing URL containing the vulnerable parameter and trick users into clicking it, potentially compromising their sessions within the WordPress administration panel. This vulnerability particularly affects administrators who may be logged into the WordPress backend when visiting the malicious link, as it could allow for privilege escalation attacks and full compromise of the affected WordPress installation. The reflected nature of this attack means that the malicious script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, cookie theft, or modification of page content that could affect other users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-4749 primarily focus on immediate patching of the wp-eMember plugin to version 10.3.9 or later, which includes proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms for the affected parameter. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output escaping for all dynamic content, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while monitoring for suspicious user behavior and anomalous requests can help detect exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1566, this vulnerability represents a method of initial access through social engineering or malicious links, making user education and awareness programs essential components of the overall security posture. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing of WordPress installations should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or themes that may present similar security weaknesses.