In the ever-evolving landscape of web security, WordPress plugins frequently find themselves at the forefront of both innovation and vulnerability. One of the latest discoveries, CVE-2024-4096, exposes a significant flaw in the popular WordPress plugin Responsive Tabs. This vulnerability allows for a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack, enabling malicious actors to embed harmful JavaScript code. This can potentially lead to account takeovers, posing a serious risk to website security and user data.
| CVE | CVE-2024-4096 |
| Plugin | Responsive Tabs <= 4.0.8 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 125 000 |
| Active installations | 6 000+ |
| Publicly Published | July 15, 2024 |
| Last Updated | July 15, 2024 |
| Researcher | Artyom Krugov |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-4096/ https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/4dba5e9e-24be-458a-9150-7c7a958e66cb/ |
| Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk |  |
| Logo of the plugin |  |
Timeline
| April 5, 2024 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Responsive Tabs have been completed |
| April 5, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| July 15, 2024 | Registered CVE-2024-4096 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The CVE-2024-4096 vulnerability in the Responsive Tabs plugin was uncovered during routine security testing. The issue lies in the way the plugin handles user input for tab titles. Specifically, it was found that contributors could embed malicious scripts into the tab titles, which were then stored and executed whenever the tab was viewed. This vulnerability bypasses the sanitization process using HTML encoding, making it a critical security concern.
Understanding of Stored XSS attack’s
XSS is a prevalent security issue where attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. In WordPress, this often occurs through unsanitized input fields that accept HTML or JavaScript code. Examples in the past have included malicious redirects, stealing cookies, or manipulating web page content. The impact of such vulnerabilities can be significant, ranging from data breaches to complete website compromise.
Exploiting the Stored XSS Vulnerability
To exploit the CVE-2024-4096 vulnerability in the Responsive Tabs plugin, an attacker with contributor privileges can follow these steps:
POC:
Go to the Responsive Tabs section in the WordPress admin panel.
Click “Add new tabs” and create a new tab.Insert the malicious payload into the
tab_titleform field: “><script></script><img src=x onerror=alert(document.domain)>Save the new tab.
Add the shortcode for this tab to a new post or page.
When the page containing the tab is viewed, the payload will execute, leading to potential account takeover or other malicious actions.
____
When an administrator views the post containing this shortcode, the embedded script executes, potentially leading to further exploitation, such as creating a new admin account or other malicious actions.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate risks associated with XSS and similar vulnerabilities, website administrators should:
- Update Regularly: Keep all plugins and the WordPress core updated to the latest versions.
- Sanitize Inputs: Ensure that all user inputs are sanitized to prevent malicious data from being saved.
- Use Security Plugins: Implement security plugins that provide firewall, malware scanning, and enhanced authentication features.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
- Educate Users: Train users with access to the WordPress backend on security best practices and the importance of using strong, unique passwords.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-4096, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
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