CVE-2024-56242 in Arconix Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Tyche Softwares Arconix Shortcodes allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Arconix Shortcodes: from n/a through 2.1.14.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-56242 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Arconix Shortcodes plugin developed by Tyche Softwares. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.1.14, indicating a broad affected scope that likely encompasses numerous installations across different environments.
The technical flaw manifests when user input containing malicious script code is improperly processed and stored within the plugin's data handling mechanisms. Rather than being properly escaped or validated before being rendered in web pages, the malicious content becomes permanently embedded within the application's database or storage systems. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious scripts execute every time affected pages are loaded, making the attack vector particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users without requiring them to interact with specific malicious links. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of input data that is then reflected in web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this stored XSS to inject malicious scripts that can redirect users to phishing sites, steal administrator credentials, manipulate content displayed to users, or even install backdoors within the compromised WordPress environment. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that even if individual users clear their browser caches or take other defensive measures, the malicious code continues to execute for all users who encounter the affected web pages. This vulnerability particularly threatens WordPress administrators and content editors who may unknowingly create or edit content through the plugin's interface, as their browsers would execute the malicious scripts when viewing or editing pages containing the stored payloads.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the plugin's data handling processes. Security measures should also incorporate regular security audits of third-party plugins, particularly those that handle user input or generate dynamic content. Organizations should consider implementing content security policies to add an additional layer of protection against script execution, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter demonstrates how attackers can leverage XSS vulnerabilities to execute malicious scripts within user browsers, making this a significant concern for enterprise security posture and compliance requirements.