CVE-2024-51703 in WP-Basics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Genethick WP-Basics allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects WP-Basics: from n/a through 2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51703 represents a critical web application security flaw categorized under CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This vulnerability specifically manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability within the Genethick WP-Basics plugin, which operates within the WordPress ecosystem. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user-supplied input during web page generation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the WP-Basics plugin. When the plugin processes user input through HTTP request parameters, it fails to properly escape or encode the data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed by unsuspecting users, can perform unauthorized actions on their behalf. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script code is reflected off the web server and executed in the victim's browser, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this reflected XSS flaw to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to cookie theft, session fixation, redirection to malicious websites, and potential privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects all versions of WP-Basics from the initial release through version 2.0, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been properly addressed. This affects numerous WordPress installations that rely on the plugin for various website functionalities, potentially exposing thousands of sites to coordinated attacks. The reflected nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it requires no persistent storage of malicious code on the server, making detection and mitigation more complex for system administrators.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest available version of the WP-Basics plugin once a patched release becomes available. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and input validation measures at the web application firewall level to provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Reflected XSS, which emphasizes the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in preventing such attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of third-party plugins and themes within WordPress environments. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement proper logging mechanisms to track suspicious activities related to user input handling and web page generation processes.