CVE-2024-9835 in RSS Feed Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2024
The RSS Feed Widget WordPress plugin before 3.0.1 does not escape the $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] parameter before outputting it back in an attribute, which could lead to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting in old web browsers
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9835 affects the RSS Feed Widget WordPress plugin version 3.0.1 and earlier, presenting a reflected cross-site scripting risk that specifically targets older web browsers. This issue stems from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's codebase where the $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] parameter is directly incorporated into HTML attributes without proper escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient output encoding that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through crafted URLs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where legacy browser support remains necessary.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes user requests and incorporates the REQUEST_URI value into HTML output attributes without implementing appropriate HTML escaping or sanitization routines. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers to construct malicious URLs that, when visited by unsuspecting users, execute malicious scripts within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically involving reflected XSS conditions. The attack vector relies on the exploitation of browser-specific behaviors in older versions where security mitigations against such attacks may be less robust or absent entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious domains. In WordPress environments, where the RSS Feed Widget plugin is commonly deployed for content aggregation, this vulnerability can compromise the entire site if exploited successfully. The reflected nature of the XSS means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but rather injected through the request itself, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional security measures. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to target administrators or regular users who visit maliciously crafted URLs, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation and associated user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9835 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 3.0.1 or later, where the escaping mechanism has been properly implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities and deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of malformed REQUEST_URI values that could indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the broader ecosystem, particularly given the widespread use of WordPress across enterprise and organizational deployments where such vulnerabilities can have cascading security implications.