CVE-2024-51702 in SrcSet Responsive Images Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Benjamin Moody, Eric Holmes SrcSet Responsive Images for WordPress allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects SrcSet Responsive Images for WordPress: from n/a through 1.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input sanitization during web page generation within the WordPress ecosystem. The issue specifically affects the SrcSet Responsive Images plugin developed by Benjamin Moody and Eric Holmes, where user-supplied input fails to undergo adequate neutralization before being incorporated into dynamically generated web content. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack, meaning malicious scripts are reflected from the web application back to the user's browser, typically through crafted URLs or form inputs that are not properly escaped or validated.
The technical flaw resides in the plugin's handling of input parameters during the responsive image generation process, where data originating from HTTP request parameters or user interactions is directly embedded into HTML output without appropriate sanitization measures. This creates an attack surface where malicious actors can inject script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the web application layer, allowing attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this reflected XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the user experience and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute arbitrary JavaScript code in their browsers, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions or unauthorized modifications to website content. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 1.4, indicating a prolonged exposure window where users remained vulnerable to this type of attack. This reflects poorly on the plugin's security practices and highlights the critical importance of input validation in web applications.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest version where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation that filters and escapes all user-supplied data before it is processed or rendered in web pages, aligning with CWE-79 standards for cross-site scripting prevention. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential for identifying similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to the ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for initial access through malicious web content. Users should also implement content security policies and monitor their websites for suspicious activity, as the reflected nature of this XSS means that attacks can be delivered through various vectors including social engineering or compromised website links.