CVE-2024-9366 in Easy Menu Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/18/2024
The Easy Menu Manager | WPZest plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via SVG File uploads in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.1 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 • 03/04/2025
The CVE-2024-9366 vulnerability affects the Easy Menu Manager plugin developed by WPZest, a popular WordPress plugin used for creating and managing custom menus. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated attackers with Author-level permissions or higher to execute malicious code through stored cross-site scripting attacks. The issue stems from the plugin's inadequate handling of SVG file uploads, which creates a persistent vector for malicious script injection that can affect all users who access the compromised files.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's SVG upload functionality. When users with appropriate privileges upload SVG files through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the file contents before storing them in the system. This lack of proper sanitization allows attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code within SVG files that will execute whenever the file is rendered or accessed by other users. The vulnerability specifically impacts all versions up to and including 1.0.1, indicating that the developers have not yet addressed this critical security gap in their codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by attackers to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability requires only Author-level access, it represents a significant risk for WordPress installations where multiple users have varying permission levels. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that once a malicious SVG file is uploaded, it remains active indefinitely until manually removed, potentially affecting all users who access the compromised content. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a critical weakness in web applications.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it leverages the trust relationship between administrators and the plugin's file upload functionality. Attackers with Author-level privileges can upload malicious SVG files that appear legitimate, making detection more difficult. When other users access pages containing these compromised SVG files, their browsers execute the embedded scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to phishing sites. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious file uploads as a method for initial access or privilege escalation within compromised systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Easy Menu Manager plugin once available, implementing strict file upload validation, and monitoring for suspicious file uploads within the WordPress admin area. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script execution attempts. The recommended approach includes disabling SVG upload functionality if not essential, implementing proper input validation for all file types, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing role-based access controls to limit the privileges of users who require elevated permissions, thereby reducing the attack surface for such vulnerabilities.