CVE-2024-49302 in Portfolio Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in portfoliohub WordPress Portfolio Builder – Portfolio Gallery uber-grid allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WordPress Portfolio Builder – Portfolio Gallery: from n/a through <= 1.1.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49302 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the portfoliohub WordPress Portfolio Builder – Portfolio Gallery plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.1.7. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a well-documented and severe class of vulnerability that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The issue is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to store malicious payloads that persist across user sessions, making it more dangerous than reflected XSS variants.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user input provided through portfolio gallery configurations or content management interfaces. When administrators or users with appropriate privileges create or modify portfolio entries, the system does not properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This inadequate input validation allows malicious actors to inject script tags or other malicious payloads that are then stored within the plugin's database or configuration files. The vulnerability specifically impacts the uber-grid component of the portfolio builder, which is responsible for generating dynamic gallery displays that render user-provided content directly into web pages without sufficient sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers can craft malicious portfolio entries that, when viewed by other users, execute scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content on the affected website. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for websites that host sensitive content or user data. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection, representing a multi-stage attack capability that can escalate from simple XSS to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49302 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization flaws, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, ensuring that all user-provided content is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, implementing content security policies and monitoring for suspicious user activity can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly for plugins that handle user-generated content in WordPress environments, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code components.