CVE-2024-50439 in Astra Widgets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Brainstorm Force Astra Widgets astra-widgets allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Astra Widgets: from n/a through <= 1.2.14.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50439 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Brainstorm Force Astra Widgets plugin, specifically impacting versions up to and including 1.2.14. This stored XSS vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when user input is inadequately sanitized or neutralized before being rendered in web pages. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are loaded by other users. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making them particularly dangerous in content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent. The attack vector leverages the plugin's handling of user inputs that are subsequently stored and displayed without proper sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, and potentially gain administrative privileges if the affected users possess elevated permissions. When users visit pages containing malicious payloads, the stored scripts execute in their browsers, creating a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates as a stored XSS attack rather than a reflected one, meaning the malicious code is permanently embedded in the application's database and affects anyone who accesses the compromised content. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on the use of malicious code execution through web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-50439 must prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense mechanism against the known exploit. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being stored or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits should include thorough examination of plugin code for improper input handling, with particular attention to how user data is processed during web page generation. Organizations should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to stay informed about emerging attack patterns targeting similar vulnerabilities in web applications.