The Advanced iFrame plugin for WordPress is a widely used tool that allows users to embed content from other websites within an iframe on their own pages. However, it has been found that versions up to and including 2024.3 are vulnerable to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack. This means that an attacker with contributor-level permissions can inject malicious script into a page, which will then execute whenever a user accesses the affected page. In this post, we will provide an overview of this critical vulnerability, discuss its implications, and offer suggestions on how to fix and prevent the issue.
CVE-2024-4365 Explained
The vulnerability in the Advanced iFrame plugin for WordPress is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping related to the 'add_iframe_url_as_param_direct' parameter. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this issue by injecting arbitrary web scripts into the affected page. When a user accesses the page containing the malicious script, it will execute, potentially leading to stolen credentials, website defacement, or other harmful actions.
Original References
The discovery of this vulnerability was initially reported by security researcher John Doe (a placeholder name), who published the findings in the following CVE report. Additional information on the vulnerability can be found in the WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Database, which details the issue and has assigned it a critical severity rating.
Code Snippet Example
Below is a code snippet demonstrating the vulnerability in action. An attacker with contributor-level permissions can inject malicious script like the following:
[advanced_iframe securitykey="your_security_key_here" src="https://example-iframe-src.com"; add_iframe_url_as_param_direct="true" onload="javascript:alert('XSS')"]
Upon loading the page containing this iframe, the JavaScript alert will execute, signaling the presence of a stored XSS vulnerability.
Exploit Details
To perform a successful exploit of this vulnerability, an attacker needs to meet the following criteria:
1. Authenticated access to a vulnerable WordPress installation with the Advanced iFrame plugin (version 2024.3 or lower) enabled.
Contributor-level permissions or higher.
If the attacker meets these criteria, they can inject arbitrary web scripts into a page using the 'add_iframe_url_as_param_direct' parameter. This could result in stolen cookies, website defacement, or other unauthorized actions.
How to Fix and Prevent this Vulnerability
The developers of the Advanced iFrame plugin have already released a patched version (2024.4) that addresses the vulnerability. Site administrators using the plugin are urged to update to the latest version as soon as possible. To download the patched version of the plugin, visit the official WordPress plugin repository.
In addition to updating the plugin, website administrators should implement the following preventive measures:
Conclusion
The Advanced iFrame plugin for WordPress presents a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-4365) in versions up to and including 2024.3 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. By exploiting this vulnerability, authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions can inject malicious scripts into pages, compromising the security and integrity of the website. It is crucial for website administrators to update the plugin to the latest version and take preventive measures to ensure their website's security.
Timeline
Published on: 05/23/2024 17:15:31 UTC
Last modified on: 06/04/2024 17:56:24 UTC