CVE-2024-52417 in ReConstruction Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in BoldThemes ReConstruction allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects ReConstruction: from n/a through 1.4.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input validation during web page generation within the BoldThemes ReConstruction WordPress theme. The weakness occurs when user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to the browser, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the ReConstruction theme ranging from the initial release through version 1.4.7, indicating a persistent flaw that has remained unpatched for an extended period.
The technical exploitation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script payloads that are then reflected back to users who click on the link. When the vulnerable theme processes this input during page generation, it fails to properly neutralize the malicious content, allowing the injected scripts to execute within the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is immediately reflected from the web server back to the client without being stored, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. In the context of a WordPress theme like ReConstruction, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain persistent access to user accounts, particularly if administrators or logged-in users click on malicious links. The vulnerability affects the theme's web page generation process, which means any page that accepts user input or parameters could potentially serve as an attack vector. Attackers could leverage this weakness to create a variety of malicious payloads including credential theft mechanisms, defacement scripts, or malware delivery systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the ReConstruction theme to version 1.4.8 or later, as this represents the first fixed release addressing the XSS flaw. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious URL patterns and unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations using this theme should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests containing known XSS patterns. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other components of the web application stack, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in preventing widespread client-side attacks.