CVE-2024-5479 in Easy Pixels Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
The Easy Pixels plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via plugin settings in all versions up to, and including, 2.13 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers 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 • 03/20/2025
The Easy Pixels WordPress plugin presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2.13, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's settings management functionality. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's configuration pages, which then execute whenever any user accesses those compromised pages. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, specifically manifesting as stored XSS attacks where malicious code persists in the application's database or configuration files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers manipulate plugin settings through crafted input that bypasses sanitization checks. The insufficient output escaping means that user-supplied data is directly rendered in web pages without proper HTML encoding or context-appropriate sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be stored and subsequently executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who access pages containing the injected content. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of website content, and potentially full system compromise through advanced attack vectors.
Operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for WordPress administrators and end-users alike. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, steal administrator credentials, manipulate website content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that even visitors without administrative privileges can exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for high-traffic websites. According to ATT&CK framework tactic T1566 - Phishing and technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, this vulnerability represents a classic exploitation vector for delivering malicious payloads through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the Easy Pixels plugin to the latest version where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed. Administrators must also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations, following OWASP recommendations for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and monitoring of plugin configurations are essential to detect unauthorized modifications. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution even if XSS attacks succeed in some cases. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious requests targeting known vulnerable endpoints.