CVE-2024-1814: Spectra WordPress Gutenberg Blocks Plugin Stored XSS Vulnerability

The Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin has become an essential part of many WordPress websites since its introduction. However, a recent discovery has shown that this plugin is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. This vulnerability exists in versions up to 2.12.8 and affects the Testimonial block of the plugin. The impacts of this vulnerability can be widespread, with possible attacks ranging from minor website defacement to stealing sensitive user information.

In this post, we will discuss the details of the vulnerability, the code snippet that demonstrates the issue, and possible exploit scenarios. In addition, we will provide references to original sources for further reading.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2024-1814 affects the Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin, specifically through its Testimonial block. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes. As a result, authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can inject arbitrary web scripts into pages. These scripts will then execute whenever a user accesses a page affected by the injected code.

The vulnerability is classified as a Stored XSS vulnerability. In the context of this particular plugin, it means that malicious code can be saved within the website's content and executed by other users viewing the page.

Code Snippet

Here's a code snippet demonstrating the issue in version 2.12.8 of Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin:

//... Spectra Plugin Testimonial Block Code
testimonial: {
  type: 'array',
  source: 'children',
  selector: '.testimonial'
},
author: {
  type: 'string',
  source: 'attribute',
  selector: '.author',
  attribute: 'data-author'
},
//...

The above code snippet is part of the Testimonial block code in Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin. It shows how the user-supplied author attribute is not sanitized or escaped. As a result, an attacker can introduce a malicious code in the author's field, and the affected web page will execute the attacker's code.

Exploit Scenarios

An attacker who has contributor-level access to a WordPress site using the Spectra - WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin can exploit this vulnerability by inserting a malicious script in the Testimonial block's author attribute. Such a script could be designed to:

[WordPress Spectra Plugin Security Advisory - Link To Be Added](#)

2. CVE-2024-1814 on the National Vulnerability Database

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CVE-2024-1814 vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress websites using the Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin. Web admins and plugin developers should take this vulnerability into account when developing new features or deploying updates.

As a user or site administrator, it's crucial to update your Spectra – WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin to the latest version and ensure your WordPress installation is up-to-date. Being aware of and mitigating these risks is vital in securing your website and protecting your users.

Timeline

Published on: 05/23/2024 11:15:23 UTC
Last modified on: 06/04/2024 18:00:44 UTC