CVE-2024-9206 in MAS Companies for WP Job Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/18/2024
The MAS Companies For WP Job Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting due to the use of add_query_arg without appropriate escaping on the URL in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.13. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The CVE-2024-9206 vulnerability affects the MAS Companies For WP Job Manager plugin, a WordPress extension designed to manage job listings and company information. This particular flaw represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that exists within the plugin's handling of URL parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it impacts all versions up to and including 1.0.13, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been properly addressed in the plugin's codebase. The flaw manifests when the plugin uses the add_query_arg function without implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms on URL parameters, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to inject malicious scripts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization practices within the plugin's code. When the plugin processes user-supplied parameters through the add_query_arg function, it fails to apply appropriate escaping before incorporating these parameters into URL strings. This oversight creates a reflected XSS vector where attacker-controlled input can be injected into the URL and subsequently executed in the victim's browser when the malformed URL is accessed. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of query arguments that are then used to construct URLs, making it possible for attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, will execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a range of malicious activities within the context of authenticated and unauthenticated user sessions. An attacker can craft payloads that steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from users who visit the maliciously constructed URLs. The vulnerability's accessibility to unauthenticated attackers means that any user who clicks on a malicious link could potentially have their browser exploited, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter links in emails, forums, or other external sources. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but rather reflected back to the user's browser from the web application itself, making it harder to detect and prevent through traditional server-side security measures.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique related to script injection, and could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or session hijacking. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to trick users into clicking malicious links, but once executed, it can provide attackers with significant access to user sessions and potentially allow for further privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates, URL filtering, and user education to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The security implications of CVE-2024-9206 extend to broader WordPress ecosystem security considerations, as reflected XSS vulnerabilities in plugins can serve as entry points for more comprehensive attacks against WordPress installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security practices in WordPress plugin development, particularly around handling user input and URL construction. Without proper escaping and validation, even seemingly benign functions like add_query_arg can create dangerous security holes that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The widespread use of WordPress plugins makes vulnerabilities like this particularly impactful, as they can affect numerous websites and potentially provide attackers with access to multiple user sessions across different platforms.