CVE-2024-51690 in Wp Slide Categorywise Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Neelam Samariya Thakor Wp Slide Categorywise allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Wp Slide Categorywise: from n/a through 1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the Wp Slide Categorywise WordPress plugin, creating a dangerous attack vector for malicious actors to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized commands. The issue manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability, where malicious input is immediately reflected back to users through web pages without proper sanitization or neutralization. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's web page generation process, where user-provided input fails to undergo adequate validation and sanitization before being rendered in HTML output. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the dynamic generation of web pages within the WordPress environment, where the plugin fails to properly escape or filter input parameters that are subsequently displayed in the user interface. This improper neutralization of input during web page generation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be executed as client-side scripts. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Wp Slide Categorywise plugin from the initial release through version 1.1, indicating a long-standing flaw that has not been addressed. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks that require immediate execution. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Media) and T1584.002 (Compromise Software Supply Chain), as attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through compromised plugin installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to fully compromise user sessions and potentially gain administrative access to WordPress installations. When exploited, reflected XSS can enable session hijacking, where attackers steal authentication tokens to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability also allows for defacement of web pages, data exfiltration, and the potential installation of backdoors through more sophisticated attack vectors. Users who access compromised pages become unwitting participants in the attack, executing malicious scripts in their browsers without their knowledge. The vulnerability's presence in the plugin's input handling mechanism means that any user interaction that triggers page generation could potentially serve as an attack surface. Organizations using this plugin face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns, where attackers send malicious links to unsuspecting users, or through automated scanning tools that identify and exploit such flaws in WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the reflected XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures. The recommended approach includes applying the latest security patches provided by the plugin developers, implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, while establishing monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for developers to implement proper input sanitization techniques, including HTML escaping and context-aware output encoding, to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious links and the importance of keeping plugins updated should be emphasized as part of a comprehensive security strategy.