CVE-2025-24781 in WPJobBoard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in NotFound WPJobBoard allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects WPJobBoard: from n/a through 5.10.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input handling during web page generation within the NotFound WPJobBoard plugin. The reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being included in dynamically generated web pages, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects WPJobBoard versions from an unspecified starting point through version 5.10.1, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary cause of XSS attacks. The attack vector leverages reflected XSS techniques where malicious payloads are injected through URL parameters or form inputs and then reflected back to users, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input directly in their output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a pathway for attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When users browse to URLs containing malicious payloads, their browsers execute the injected scripts in the context of the vulnerable application, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but rather injected through user interaction with crafted URLs, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent. Attackers can craft malicious links that appear legitimate to users, leading them to unknowingly execute malicious code in their browsers. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering through spearphishing with a link, where the malicious link exploits the XSS vulnerability to execute malicious payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to identify input parameters that are reflected back to users without proper sanitization, typically through URL parameters or form fields that are not properly escaped. The vulnerability's presence in WPJobBoard versions through 5.10.1 suggests that the plugin's input validation and output escaping mechanisms were insufficient to prevent malicious script injection, creating a persistent security gap that attackers could exploit. Organizations running affected versions of WPJobBoard face significant risk as this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the core web application functionality where user input is processed and displayed, making it a critical security concern for any website utilizing this plugin. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability on their overall security posture, as reflected XSS attacks can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and persistent malware deployment. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the WPJobBoard plugin to version 5.10.2 or later, along with comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components of the application.