CVE-2024-5809 in WP Ajax Contact Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
The WP Ajax Contact Form WordPress plugin through 2.2.2 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting which could be used against admin users
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5809 affects the WP Ajax Contact Form WordPress plugin version 2.2.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes administrators to potential cross-site scripting attacks. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject harmful scripts into web pages viewed by administrators. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize a parameter before incorporating it into the HTML output, thereby creating a reflected XSS vector that can be exploited through carefully crafted malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's handling of user-supplied data within its contact form processing functionality. When users submit data through the contact form, the plugin processes this information without adequate sanitization measures, particularly failing to escape output that contains user-provided parameters. This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's response, which gets executed in the context of the administrator's browser session. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the plugin's output, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered via email links or other attack vectors that direct users to malicious URLs.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5809 extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a potential pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. When an administrator visits a page containing the reflected malicious script, the attacker can potentially steal session cookies, execute arbitrary commands, or redirect the administrator to malicious sites. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages. The attack vector is particularly concerning in the context of WordPress environments where administrators frequently interact with plugin interfaces and may be exposed to these malicious payloads through legitimate plugin usage patterns.
The security implications of this vulnerability are amplified by the fact that it specifically targets administrative users, making it a prime candidate for privilege escalation attacks. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate within the context of the contact form, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including phishing campaigns that direct administrators to malicious URLs or by embedding the malicious code within legitimate-looking contact form submissions. This type of attack maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering techniques including spearphishing with malicious attachments or links. The reflected XSS nature of the vulnerability means that each attack requires a separate delivery mechanism, but once successfully exploited, the attacker can maintain persistent access to the administrative interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5809 should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization flaw, alongside implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to how user input is handled and displayed. Additionally, administrative users should be trained to recognize potential social engineering attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links that may lead to XSS exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper data sanitization at all input and output points within web applications.