CVE-2024-9346 in Embed Videos and Respect Privacy Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2024
The Embed videos and respect privacy plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'v' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The CVE-2024-9346 vulnerability affects the Embed videos and respect privacy plugin for WordPress, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that has been present in all versions up to and including 1.2. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The issue specifically manifests through the 'v' parameter, which serves as the attack vector for injecting malicious payloads into WordPress pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an unauthenticated attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the 'v' parameter. When a victim clicks on such a link and the page containing the vulnerable plugin executes, the malicious script code gets reflected back to the user's browser and subsequently executed. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic reflected XSS pattern where the malicious payload is reflected off the web server and delivered to the victim's browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9346 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to WordPress admin panels, or to inject malicious content that could compromise user data. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack requires user interaction through a carefully crafted link, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of spearphishing to gain initial access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest version where the XSS flaw has been addressed through proper input validation and output escaping. Administrators should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed on WordPress pages. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious user activities, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links and implement proper access controls to limit the damage potential from compromised accounts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output escaping as fundamental security practices that should be implemented consistently throughout web applications to prevent such reflected XSS attacks from occurring.