The Ditty plugin, designed for displaying custom feeds and lists of posts in WordPress, has been found to contain a critical vulnerability that allows an attacker to exploit a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-9600, can be used by contributors to inject malicious JavaScript code into new posts, which upon interaction can lead to the creation of an admin account. With approximately 50,000 active installations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to WordPress sites utilizing the Ditty plugin.
| CVE | CVE-2024-9600 |
| Plugin | Ditty < 3.1.47 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 2 451 856 |
| Active installations | 50 000+ |
| Publicly Published | October 25, 2024 |
| Last Updated | October 25, 2024 |
| Researcher | Dmitrii Ignatyev |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9600 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/d1c78389-29eb-4dce-848c-e0eab85ff5cd/ |
| Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk |  |
| Logo of the plugin |  |
Timeline
| September 3, 2024 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Ditty have been completed |
| September 3, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| October 25, 2024 | Registered CVE-2024-9600 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The vulnerability was discovered during a security audit of the Ditty plugin. It was found that the plugin does not properly sanitize user inputs, particularly in the post title field. This oversight allows contributors, who typically have limited privileges, to inject JavaScript code into the title of a new post. The vulnerability is triggered when a user interacts with the post’s title in the frontend by simply hovering over it, causing the malicious script to execute. This issue is compounded by the fact that the Ditty plugin allows contributors to create new Ditty feeds that can display these malicious titles, exposing the site to further exploitation.
Understanding of XSS attack’s
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are one of the most common security flaws in web applications, including WordPress. XSS attacks occur when an attacker is able to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can steal session cookies, hijack user sessions, deface websites, or, in the worst case, gain unauthorized access to the site. Real-world examples of XSS exploitation in WordPress include the famous vulnerability in the WPForms plugin, where unsanitized user inputs allowed attackers to inject malicious JavaScript into form fields. In the case of Ditty, the vulnerability in the post title field allows an attacker to trigger XSS by exploiting the interaction between the post feed and the JavaScript embedded in the title.
Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability
To exploit CVE-2024-9600, an attacker with contributor-level access could create a new post and input a title such as 123"onmouseover=alert(1)//. This payload injects JavaScript code that triggers a pop-up alert when the user hovers over the post title. Once the post is saved and the page is reloaded, anyone who interacts with the post title by hovering over it will unknowingly execute the malicious JavaScript. If the attacker uses this method in combination with the Ditty plugin’s functionality, they can exploit the XSS vulnerability to escalate their privileges and potentially create an admin account by manipulating the site’s authentication flow or stealing session cookies.
POC:
Create a new post with title like "123"onmouseover=alert(1)//". Create a new Ditty and add "WP Posts Feed (Lite)" block. Reload page and mouseover to this title on a screen.____
The impact of CVE-2024-9600 is severe, as it allows an attacker with minimal privileges (a contributor) to inject malicious JavaScript into the site’s content, leading to potential account takeover and unauthorized admin account creation. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain full administrative access to a WordPress site, potentially altering content, stealing user information, or even compromising the entire site. The ability for a contributor to escalate their privileges through XSS means that even websites with restricted user roles are at risk. This vulnerability could also be used as part of a chain of attacks, where the attacker first gains administrative access and then exploits other vulnerabilities within the site.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-9600, WordPress administrators should update the Ditty plugin to the latest patched version as soon as it becomes available. Additionally, administrators should review user permissions and ensure that contributors are not granted excessive privileges, such as the ability to insert unfiltered HTML or JavaScript. Restricting contributors’ ability to create certain types of content and using security plugins that detect XSS vulnerabilities can help prevent such attacks. Furthermore, implementing Content Security Policies (CSP) and performing regular security audits will help reduce the impact of any potential XSS vulnerabilities.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-9600, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
#WordPressSecurity #StoredXSS #WebsiteSafety #StayProtected #HighVulnerability
Use CleanTalk solutions to improve the security of your website
Dmitrii I.
