CVE-2024-56237 in Contest Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Contest Gallery Contest Gallery allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Contest Gallery: from n/a through 24.0.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-56237 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Contest Gallery plugin, specifically manifesting as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple visitors over time. The vulnerability exists in versions of Contest Gallery ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 24.0.3, indicating a significant timeframe of exposure where systems could be compromised. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are saved on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed, rather than requiring immediate interaction with a malicious link or form submission.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user input that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper encoding or escaping mechanisms. When users submit data through forms or other input mechanisms within the Contest Gallery plugin, this data is not adequately filtered before being stored and displayed, creating an opening for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various input vectors including contest entries, user comments, or administrative inputs that are processed and rendered on web pages. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as the improper handling of input data that allows attackers to inject executable code into web pages viewed by other users, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of client-side exploits to gain initial access or execute malicious code in web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems through session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, they can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users, potentially leading to full account compromise. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active until manually removed from the system, allowing attackers to maintain access over extended periods. Organizations using Contest Gallery versions affected by this vulnerability face risks including unauthorized data access, modification of contest results, injection of malicious advertisements, or redirection of users to phishing sites that can harvest credentials and sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to the latest available version of Contest Gallery that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future, ensuring that all user-provided data is properly sanitized before being stored or rendered in web pages. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, using web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized modifications to contest data and implement proper access controls to limit who can submit content that will be displayed on public web pages. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and output encoding practices in web application security, aligning with security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines that emphasize proper handling of user input to prevent injection attacks.