CVE-2022-2404 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin "WP Popup Builder – Popup Forms, Marketing PoPuP & Newsletter" prior to version 1.2.9. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input parameters before reflecting them back in the webpage output. This improper handling allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into the web page, which is then executed in the context of the victim's browser when they visit a crafted URL or interact with a manipulated popup form. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which pertains to improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the vulnerable plugin itself, potentially impacting the broader web application context. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but not availability (A:N). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to perform session hijacking, phishing, or other malicious activities by executing arbitrary scripts in the victim's browser. Since the plugin is used to create popup forms and marketing newsletters, it is likely integrated into websites that engage with end users, increasing the risk of exploitation through social engineering or malicious links. The vulnerability was published on September 26, 2022, and affects versions before 1.2.9, which presumably includes all earlier releases. No official patch links were provided in the source data, but upgrading to version 1.2.9 or later is implied as the remediation step.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites that utilize the WP Popup Builder plugin for marketing, user engagement, or newsletter subscription forms. Exploitation could lead to the execution of malicious scripts in users' browsers, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to phishing or malware sites. This can damage the organization's reputation, lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, and potentially result in regulatory penalties. The impact is particularly significant for organizations in sectors with high user interaction such as e-commerce, media, and public services. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing campaigns or maliciously crafted URLs could be used to exploit it. The reflected XSS can also be chained with other vulnerabilities to escalate attacks. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect availability, the indirect consequences such as loss of user trust and potential data compromise are critical. European organizations must consider the compliance implications of any data leakage resulting from such attacks.

1. Immediate upgrade of the WP Popup Builder plugin to version 1.2.9 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed by proper sanitization and escaping of user inputs. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block reflected XSS attack patterns targeting popup form parameters. 3. Conduct a thorough audit of all WordPress plugins and themes to identify and update any other components that may be vulnerable to similar injection attacks. 4. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on web pages, mitigating the impact of XSS even if exploited. 5. Educate website administrators and content creators about the risks of reflected XSS and the importance of validating and sanitizing user inputs. 6. Monitor web traffic and logs for unusual patterns or repeated attempts to exploit popup form parameters. 7. For organizations with high-risk exposure, consider isolating or disabling popup forms until the plugin is updated and tested. 8. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable quick recovery in case of compromise.