CVE-2024-8486 in Shortcodes and Extra Features for Phlox Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2024
The Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘url’ parameter in the Modern Heading and Icon Picker widgets all versions up to, and including, 2.16.3 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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 • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-8486 affects the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.16.3. This issue represents a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that exists within the Modern Heading and Icon Picker widgets of the plugin. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated attackers who possess Contributor-level access or higher privileges within the WordPress environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the 'url' parameter within the affected widgets. When an authenticated attacker with appropriate permissions creates or modifies content using these widgets, they can inject malicious JavaScript code into the url parameter. This injected code becomes permanently stored within the WordPress database and executes whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised widget content. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious payload persists in the system and affects multiple users rather than requiring immediate interaction with a specific page.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress sites using the affected plugin. Attackers with Contributor-level access can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can affect any user who views pages containing the malicious content. This creates a persistent threat that can remain undetected for extended periods, as the injected scripts execute automatically whenever affected pages are accessed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This classification indicates that the issue involves the improper handling of untrusted data within web applications, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in users' browsers. Additionally, this vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which covers "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism," as it allows attackers to leverage existing user privileges to execute malicious code with potentially broader system access. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to the latest version of the plugin that addresses this vulnerability, while also implementing additional security measures such as input validation, output escaping, and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that have addressed the stored XSS vulnerability, along with comprehensive security monitoring to detect any potential exploitation attempts. Administrators should also implement role-based access controls and regularly audit user permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where users with varying privilege levels can modify site content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar stored XSS vulnerabilities in their WordPress environments.