CVE-2024-8959 in WP Adminify Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/24/2024
The WP Adminify – Custom WordPress Dashboard, Login and Admin Customizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via SVG File uploads in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.1.6 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses the SVG file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8959 affects the WP Adminify plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.0.1.6. This plugin serves as a dashboard customization tool that allows administrators to modify various aspects of the WordPress admin interface including login pages and overall dashboard appearance. The flaw resides in the plugin's handling of SVG file uploads, which represent a critical security gap in the system's input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users with Author-level permissions or higher, meaning that any user who can upload files to the WordPress system potentially has the capability to exploit this weakness.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping practices within the plugin's SVG upload functionality. When users upload SVG files through the admin interface, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the content of these files before storing them in the system. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be embedded within SVG files without being detected or neutralized. The vulnerability is classified as stored cross-site scripting because the malicious code is permanently stored on the server and executed whenever legitimate users access the uploaded SVG files. The attack vector operates through the web browser when users navigate to pages where these malicious SVG files are displayed, triggering the execution of embedded scripts in the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8959 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions and sensitive data within the WordPress environment. Since the vulnerability requires only Author-level access, it can be exploited by users who have moderate privileges within the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying levels of access. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the malicious scripts will persist and execute whenever any user accesses the compromised SVG files, potentially affecting numerous system users over time. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a failure to implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms as recommended by security best practices.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of web shell deployment and persistent threat maintenance. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish backdoors within the WordPress system, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that allows attackers to maintain access to the system even after initial exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, implementation of strict file upload validation policies, and monitoring for unauthorized SVG file uploads. Additionally, administrators should consider role-based access controls to limit file upload capabilities and implement content security policies to prevent script execution in the browser context. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, particularly in plugins that handle user-uploaded content and have elevated system privileges.