CVE-2024-50552 in Hover Video Preview Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Jason Pancake Hover Video Preview allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Hover Video Preview: from n/a through 1.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50552 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Jason Pancake Hover Video Preview plugin, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS vulnerability that can persist across user sessions. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are then executed by other users who view the affected content, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond typical transient XSS scenarios.
The technical flaw resides in the improper neutralization of input data during the web page generation process within the Hover Video Preview plugin. When users input video URLs or other parameters into the plugin interface, the application fails to adequately sanitize or escape this input before storing and subsequently rendering it within web pages. This failure directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability affects versions of the plugin from an unspecified starting point through version 1.0.2, indicating that the issue has existed for some time and potentially affects numerous installations.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the vulnerable input fields, the script will execute every time a user views the affected page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists on the server, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious content in web applications.
The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs through carefully crafted input that includes script tags or other malicious code within video URL parameters or associated metadata fields. Attackers may leverage this weakness to inject JavaScript that can steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes it particularly effective for long-term attacks, as the malicious code remains embedded in the application's database or configuration files. Organizations using the Hover Video Preview plugin are at risk of having their users' browsers compromised, potentially leading to broader security incidents including unauthorized access to administrative functions or data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and output escaping mechanisms. The plugin developers must implement comprehensive sanitization of all user inputs before storage and ensure that any stored data is properly escaped when rendered in web pages. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper input validation routines, and ensuring that all user-supplied content is treated as potentially malicious. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious input patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of their web applications. The remediation process should involve updating to the latest version of the plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed, as well as implementing additional security controls to prevent similar issues in other components of the web application stack.