Ajax Search Lite is a popular WordPress plugin used to enhance the search experience by providing real-time AJAX search results. However, a critical Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, CVE-2024-13585, has been discovered in the plugin. This vulnerability allows attackers with editor-level access to inject malicious JavaScript into the “Categories filter box header text” field within the “Frontend Filters” settings. The injected script is then executed when the search results are displayed, leading to account takeover and the creation of a backdoor admin account. With over 100,000 active installations, this flaw poses a serious security risk to WordPress websites using Ajax Search Lite.
CVE-2024-13585 – Ajax Search Lite – Stored XSS to JS Backdoor Creation – POC
