CVE-2024-5571 in EmbedPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2024
The EmbedPress – Embed PDF, Google Docs, Vimeo, Wistia, Embed YouTube Videos, Audios, Maps & Embed Any Documents in Gutenberg & Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'url' attribute within the plugin's EmbedPress PDF widget in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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-2024-5571 affects the EmbedPress plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting the EmbedPress PDF widget functionality within the Gutenberg and Elementor page builders. This issue represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an avenue for malicious script injection that persists in the database and executes whenever affected pages are accessed. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 4.0.1, making it a widespread concern for WordPress installations utilizing this particular plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the 'url' attribute parameter within the EmbedPress PDF widget, where user-supplied input fails to undergo proper sanitization before being stored in the WordPress database. When the widget processes the stored URL value, it does not adequately escape or filter the input before rendering it in the browser context, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the standard attack vector where an authenticated user with sufficient privileges can create or modify content containing malicious scripts that will execute whenever other users view the affected pages. The attack leverages the plugin's functionality to embed external content while exploiting the lack of proper security controls around user input handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges, steal user sessions, access sensitive data, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The fact that this affects users with contributor-level access makes it particularly concerning for WordPress sites where multiple users have editing capabilities, as it provides a pathway for attackers to compromise the entire site's security posture. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it will persist and affect all users who access pages containing the injected content, potentially leading to widespread compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing via Service for initial access and T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter for execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5571 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Administrators should prioritize updating to the latest available version of the EmbedPress plugin as soon as it becomes available and thoroughly test the updated version to ensure compatibility with existing site functionality. In addition to updating, implementing additional security measures such as restricting user privileges to the minimum necessary access levels, monitoring for unusual content modifications, and employing web application firewalls can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes, along with maintaining up-to-date security practices including two-factor authentication and regular security scanning, should be implemented as part of comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts even if exploitation occurs.