CVE-2024-5259 in MultiVendorX Marketplace Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2024
The MultiVendorX Marketplace – WooCommerce MultiVendor Marketplace Solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘hover_animation’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.1.11 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5259 affects the MultiVendorX Marketplace plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.1.11. This plugin serves as a multi-vendor marketplace solution built on the WooCommerce platform, enabling multiple vendors to operate within a single WordPress installation. The security flaw manifests as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by authenticated attackers possessing Contributor-level permissions or higher. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a persistent security risk that can affect all users of the compromised WordPress site.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the 'hover_animation' parameter which is processed within the plugin's functionality. When an attacker with Contributor access or higher submits malicious input through this parameter, the malicious script gets stored within the application's database rather than being immediately executed. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting attack, specifically a stored variant where the malicious input is saved and later executed in the context of other users' browsers. The weakness in input validation and output escaping creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be rendered as executable JavaScript code in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5259 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user data and session information. Since the vulnerability requires only Contributor-level access, it represents a significant risk for WordPress sites that do not properly enforce role-based access controls or monitor user activities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from users who visit pages containing the stored malicious script. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves the use of malicious scripts to gain access to user sessions and credentials. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to perform actions on behalf of users, potentially allowing attackers to modify product listings, manipulate vendor accounts, or even execute administrative functions if the attacker has sufficient privileges.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The most critical immediate action is to update to the latest version of the MultiVendorX plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. Until an update can be applied, administrators should consider implementing additional access controls to limit the number of users with Contributor-level permissions or higher. Input validation should be enhanced at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like 'hover_animation' that are prone to injection attacks. Output escaping mechanisms must be strengthened to ensure that any data rendered in web pages is properly encoded to prevent script execution. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual activities related to user account modifications or suspicious data submissions within the marketplace functionality. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress plugins, particularly those handling user-generated content or administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional layers of defense against similar scripting attacks.