CVE-2024-49295 in Simple Testimonials Showcase Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in PressTigers Simple Testimonials Showcase simple-testimonials-showcase allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Simple Testimonials Showcase: from n/a through <= 1.1.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49295 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PressTigers Simple Testimonials Showcase WordPress plugin. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during the web page generation process, specifically when processing user-supplied testimonials that are stored in the database. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions and can be executed whenever the affected testimonials are displayed on web pages. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 1.1.6, indicating a widespread exposure across numerous installations that have not received the necessary security updates.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly neutralize user input before rendering it within HTML contexts. When administrators or users submit testimonials through the plugin's interface, the input undergoes insufficient validation and sanitization before being stored and subsequently retrieved for display. This creates an environment where malicious actors can embed script tags or other malicious code within testimonial content, which then executes in the browsers of unsuspecting visitors who view the testimonials. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once malicious input is accepted and saved, it remains active until manually removed or the plugin is updated to address the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for high-traffic websites where testimonials are frequently viewed by multiple users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft testimonials containing scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or inject additional malicious content into the site. Given that testimonials are often displayed prominently on websites, this vulnerability can affect numerous users simultaneously and may go unnoticed for extended periods. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is used in a web page without proper validation or escaping, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, as attackers may exploit this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads to users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the Simple Testimonials Showcase plugin where the XSS flaw has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation that strips or encodes potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and event handlers before storing user content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution sources and preventing unauthorized code execution. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and administrators should maintain updated security practices including monitoring for new CVEs affecting their installed software. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation at multiple layers including client-side, server-side, and database storage to prevent the persistence of malicious content in web applications.