CVE-2024-11775 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Particle Background plugin for WordPress, developed by aasthasolutions. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0.2. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes passed to the 'particleground' shortcode. Authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages or posts. Because the malicious script is stored, it executes every time any user accesses the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability requires authentication but no user interaction beyond viewing the infected page. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the vulnerable component. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-11775 is the potential compromise of user confidentiality and integrity on WordPress sites using the Particle Background plugin. Attackers with contributor-level access can inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, including administrators and other privileged users. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of authentication cookies, defacement, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. Although availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can be significant. Organizations relying on this plugin, especially those with multiple contributors or public-facing content, face increased risk of targeted attacks. The vulnerability could be leveraged in broader attack campaigns to escalate privileges or move laterally within compromised environments. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, the risk is somewhat mitigated by access controls, but insider threats or compromised contributor accounts increase exposure. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat of future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-11775, organizations should first verify if they use the Particle Background plugin and identify the version in use. Immediate mitigation includes restricting contributor-level access to trusted users only and auditing existing content for injected scripts. Site administrators should disable or remove the plugin if it is not essential. Since no official patch is currently linked, organizations can implement manual input sanitization and output escaping for the 'particleground' shortcode attributes by customizing the plugin code or using security plugins that enforce content filtering. Employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting this plugin can provide additional protection. Regularly monitoring logs for suspicious activity and scanning for injected scripts is recommended. Once an official patch or update is released by aasthasolutions, prompt application is critical. Additionally, educating contributors about safe content practices and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms reduces the risk of exploitation.