CVE-2024-51622 in WP Easy Recipe Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WP Experts Team WP EASY RECIPE allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP EASY RECIPE: from n/a through 1.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51622 represents a critical security flaw in the WP EASY RECIPE plugin for WordPress systems, specifically categorized under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness manifests as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user input during the recipe creation and display processes, where insufficient sanitization and validation of submitted data permits attackers to embed malicious code that gets stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are rendered.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the plugin's recipe submission forms or other user-contributed content areas. The stored XSS vulnerability enables the attacker to inject JavaScript code or other malicious payloads that persist in the database and execute whenever users access the affected recipe pages. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1566.001 technique for initial access through valid accounts, as it typically requires minimal privileges to exploit and can affect any user who views the compromised content. The vulnerability affects all versions of WP EASY RECIPE from the initial release through version 1.6, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been properly addressed in the plugin's input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code in the context of affected users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, steal sensitive information, or manipulate the content displayed on the website. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once the malicious payload is injected, it will continue to affect users until the payload is removed from the database, making it particularly dangerous for websites that rely on user-generated content. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the WordPress site, potentially compromising the entire user base that interacts with the recipe content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-51622 should prioritize immediate action including updating to the latest version of the WP EASY RECIPE plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious code injection, following OWASP XSS prevention guidelines and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, regular security audits and monitoring of user-generated content should be conducted to identify potential malicious submissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and highlights the necessity for robust security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such flaws from reaching production environments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.