CVE-2024-9292 in Bridge Core Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2024
The Bridge Core plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'formforall' shortcode in versions up to, and including, 3.2.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions 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 Bridge Core plugin for WordPress represents a widely used theme framework that provides essential functionality for website customization and content management. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.2.0, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators who rely on this plugin for their site operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation, specifically targeting the 'formforall' shortcode functionality that allows users to create dynamic forms and content elements.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient sanitization of user-supplied attributes within the formforall shortcode processing. When authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher submit content containing malicious scripts through these attributes, the plugin fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it in the output. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored within the WordPress database and subsequently executed whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised shortcode. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs that are later rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent vector for various malicious activities. Contributors and above have sufficient permissions to modify content, making this a particularly dangerous issue since it can be exploited within a legitimate user context. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, malicious scripts will execute automatically for any user who accesses affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can leverage stored XSS to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping issues, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including role-based access controls, regular security audits of plugin installations, and monitoring for unauthorized content modifications. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting contributor permissions to only necessary functions and regularly reviewing user roles and capabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, though this does not address the root cause of the vulnerability in the plugin's code implementation. Regular security assessments and keeping all WordPress components updated remain essential practices for maintaining a secure WordPress environment against such persistent threats.