CVE-2024-51705 in WP MMenu Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in James Bruner WP MMenu Lite allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects WP MMenu Lite: from n/a through 1.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WP MMenu Lite WordPress plugin that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The issue stems from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, specifically allowing reflected cross-site scripting attacks to occur. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 1.0.0, indicating a persistent flaw that has not been addressed in the plugin's development lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into dynamically generated web pages. In reflected XSS scenarios, malicious scripts are injected into web pages through user input that is immediately reflected back to the user without adequate sanitization. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs or input vectors that, when executed by victims, can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is directly incorporated into web page generation without proper validation or encoding.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress websites utilizing the WP MMenu Lite plugin. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests that contain script payloads, which are then reflected back to unsuspecting users who visit the compromised pages. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data theft, and potential privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the attack vector typically involves social engineering to convince users to click malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in targeted phishing campaigns or when the plugin is used in administrative contexts.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily limited to websites running the affected plugin version, but the widespread adoption of WordPress makes this a potentially high-impact issue. Security researchers should consider this vulnerability when assessing WordPress security posture, particularly in environments where administrative users may be targeted. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates, input validation measures, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the WP MMenu Lite plugin to the latest version where the vulnerability has been resolved. Additionally, administrators should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, employ proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, and conduct regular security audits of installed plugins. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, while user education regarding suspicious links and phishing attempts remains crucial. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party software components.