CVE-2024-8363 in Share This Image Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/05/2024
The Share This Image plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's STI Buttons shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.02 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 • 03/11/2025
The Share This Image plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8363 affecting all versions through 2.02. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's STI Buttons shortcode implementation. The flaw specifically targets user-supplied attributes that are processed without proper validation, creating an attack surface where malicious code can be persistently stored within the WordPress environment. Security researchers have classified this issue as a stored XSS vulnerability due to the persistent nature of the attack vector, where injected scripts remain embedded in the application's database and execute automatically when pages are accessed by unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level access or higher, making it exploitable by users who already possess significant privileges within the WordPress ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of shortcode attributes within the STI Buttons functionality, where user input is directly incorporated into rendered HTML without appropriate sanitization measures. This weakness allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view pages containing the vulnerable shortcode. The attack vector operates through the standard WordPress shortcode processing mechanism, where the plugin fails to properly escape output before rendering, enabling attackers to craft payloads that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform other harmful actions. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices as outlined in CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws resulting from insufficient output escaping. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent command and control channels or escalate privileges within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8363 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise entire WordPress installations through the exploitation of the contributor role. This level of access allows adversaries to inject malicious code that can be executed across multiple user sessions, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized content modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all WordPress versions that utilize the affected plugin, creating widespread exposure across numerous websites and organizations that rely on WordPress for their content management. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious code is injected, it will continue to execute until manually removed from the database, providing attackers with extended opportunities for malicious activity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of credential dumping and session hijacking through web-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that depend on WordPress for business-critical applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-8363 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version that addresses the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense against the specific flaw. Organizations should implement strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms within their WordPress environments, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Security administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of shortcode usage, particularly for plugins that handle user-generated content. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting contributor-level access to only those users who require such permissions, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block known XSS attack patterns, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem. Organizations should also implement regular backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation, as the persistent nature of stored XSS makes it particularly challenging to completely eliminate once an attack has been initiated.