CVE-2024-51797 in Ultimate Accordion Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Md. Shiddikur Rahman Ultimate Accordion allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Ultimate Accordion: from n/a through 1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the DOM-based execution environment within the Ultimate Accordion plugin. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization during the web page generation process where user-supplied data flows directly into the document object model without proper neutralization. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser, creating a persistent security risk for all users interacting with affected web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user input through URL parameters or other dynamic data sources that are then reflected into the DOM structure of the web page. The flaw exists in how the plugin handles data that should be treated as untrusted, failing to properly escape or encode characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting conditions where improper neutralization of input allows attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, and potential data exfiltration from user browsers. An attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when visited by unsuspecting users, would execute scripts that steal authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or manipulate the web page content in ways that compromise user experience and security. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that the attack vector operates entirely within the browser environment without requiring server-side processing, making it particularly insidious.
The affected version range indicates that this vulnerability has existed since the initial release of the plugin through version 1.0, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the input handling logic that was never properly addressed. This represents a critical oversight in the security design of the plugin, as XSS vulnerabilities of this nature are among the most commonly exploited flaws in web applications. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that remains active until the plugin is updated to properly neutralize input during web page generation processes.
Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigations including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns. The recommended solution involves updating to the latest version of the plugin where the input sanitization has been properly implemented and tested. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and limit the potential impact of any successful XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework where DOM-based XSS represents a particularly dangerous class of attacks due to their ability to bypass traditional server-side security controls.