CVE-2024-51592 in Meta Store Elements Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in bnayawpguy Meta Store Elements allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Meta Store Elements: from n/a through 1.0.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51592 represents a critical security flaw in the bnayawpguy Meta Store Elements plugin, specifically manifesting as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability falls under the well-established category of cross-site scripting attacks, more precisely classified as a DOM-based XSS vulnerability according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The issue stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently incorporated into dynamically generated web content, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can be executed within the context of legitimate user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Meta Store Elements plugin fails to properly validate or escape input data that flows into the Document Object Model of web pages. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through manipulated input parameters that are then processed and rendered within the browser environment. The DOM-based nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is executed as part of the page's dynamic content generation process rather than being reflected in HTTP response headers or server-side processing, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through traditional server-side input validation approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised user's browser context. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal sensitive cookies, modify page content, redirect users to malicious websites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The affected version range spanning from n/a through 1.0.9 indicates that this flaw has existed in multiple iterations of the plugin, suggesting a persistent issue in the input handling mechanisms that requires immediate attention from administrators and developers. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1531 for 'Modify System Image' and T1059.007 for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript', demonstrating how attackers can exploit such flaws to establish persistent access and execute malicious code within user browsers.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the plugin's codebase. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before being incorporated into DOM operations, utilizing context-aware encoding techniques that prevent script execution in inappropriate contexts. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content generation, and conducting thorough input validation at multiple layers of the application stack. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application ecosystem, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of maintaining robust input sanitization practices across all dynamic content generation processes. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.