CVE-2024-51609 in Emoji Shortcode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Elsner Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Emoji Shortcode allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Emoji Shortcode: from n/a through 1.0.0.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51609 represents a critical security flaw in the Emoji Shortcode plugin developed by Elsner Technologies Pvt. Ltd. This issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically enabling stored cross-site scripting attacks that can persist across user sessions. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-generated content that is subsequently rendered in web pages, creating a persistent security risk for websites utilizing this particular software component. The affected version range spans from an unknown starting point through version 1.0.0, indicating that any installation within this scope is potentially vulnerable to exploitation.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user input that is processed and stored within the plugin's database or configuration files. When users submit content containing malicious script payloads through the emoji shortcode functionality, the system fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before they are stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsing sessions. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the exploitation of the web application's failure to validate and sanitize data that flows from user input to web page output, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications where input validation and output encoding are insufficient.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected websites. This capability allows threat actors to perform actions such as stealing cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even conducting more sophisticated attacks like privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it will persist and affect all users who view the affected web pages, making it particularly dangerous for websites with high user engagement or those handling sensitive information. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects a plugin that is likely widely deployed across various WordPress installations, potentially exposing numerous websites to coordinated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script payloads, while conducting thorough security audits of all plugins and themes to identify similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent unauthorized script execution, and regular security monitoring should be established to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of rigorous input validation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's approach to web application security defenses, particularly focusing on the mitigation of client-side code injection vulnerabilities that can persist across user sessions.