CVE-2024-0187 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Community by PeepSo WordPress plugin versions prior to 6.3.1.2. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape various input parameters and generated URLs before rendering them in HTML attributes. This improper handling allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are reflected back to users, particularly targeting high-privilege users such as administrators. When an admin or privileged user interacts with a crafted URL or input, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session tokens, perform actions on behalf of the user, or manipulate the plugin’s interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS. 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), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known exploits are reported in the wild yet, and no official patches or mitigation links are provided in the source data. This vulnerability is significant because WordPress plugins like Community by PeepSo are widely used to build social networking features on WordPress sites, often with privileged users managing content and user interactions. Exploitation could lead to session hijacking or privilege escalation via browser-based attacks.

For European organizations using the Community by PeepSo plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to administrative and high-privilege users who manage community content and user data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of community content, or unauthorized administrative actions. This could result in reputational damage, data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, and potential compliance violations. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting admins could be used to trigger the exploit. The reflected XSS could also be leveraged to distribute malware or redirect users to malicious sites, amplifying the impact. Organizations relying on WordPress-based community platforms should be aware that attackers might exploit this vulnerability to compromise site integrity and confidentiality, potentially affecting user trust and operational continuity.

1. Immediate update: Organizations should upgrade the Community by PeepSo plugin to version 6.3.1.2 or later as soon as it becomes available, as this will likely contain the necessary sanitization fixes. 2. Input validation: Until a patch is applied, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the vulnerable parameters and URLs. 3. User awareness: Train administrators and privileged users to recognize phishing attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links that could trigger reflected XSS. 4. Content Security Policy (CSP): Deploy strict CSP headers to restrict script execution sources, mitigating the impact of injected scripts. 5. Least privilege: Limit the number of users with administrative privileges to reduce the attack surface. 6. Monitoring and logging: Enable detailed logging of web requests and monitor for unusual activity or repeated attempts to exploit XSS vectors. 7. Disable or restrict plugin features that generate URLs or accept parameters from untrusted sources if possible, until patched.