CVE-2024-11808 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Pingmeter Uptime Monitoring plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.3. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically inadequate sanitization and output escaping of the '_wpnonce' parameter. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to craft malicious URLs containing arbitrary JavaScript code that, when clicked by a user, executes within the context of the vulnerable website. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, requiring no privileges but necessitating user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user data by potentially enabling theft of session cookies, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites, though it does not affect system availability. The scope is limited to websites running the vulnerable plugin, which is a WordPress uptime monitoring tool. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no active exploitation has been reported. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating medium severity. The reflected XSS can be leveraged in phishing campaigns or to escalate attacks against authenticated users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, a common web application security weakness. Organizations using this plugin should monitor for updates and apply security best practices to mitigate risk.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-11808 is on the confidentiality and integrity of users interacting with vulnerable WordPress sites using the Pingmeter Uptime Monitoring plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of sensitive information such as session cookies, enabling account takeover or unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. Attackers may also manipulate page content or redirect users to malicious websites, facilitating phishing or malware distribution campaigns. Although availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can have significant operational and financial consequences. Organizations relying on this plugin for uptime monitoring may face increased risk of targeted attacks, especially if their user base includes privileged users or administrators. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, which may limit mass exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in spear-phishing scenarios. Given the widespread use of WordPress globally, the potential attack surface is substantial, particularly for organizations that have not updated or mitigated this vulnerability.

1. Immediate mitigation involves updating the Pingmeter Uptime Monitoring plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once released by the vendor. 2. Until a patch is available, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious payloads in the '_wpnonce' parameter. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on the website. 4. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking unsolicited or suspicious links, especially those purporting to be related to site monitoring or administration. 5. Regularly audit and sanitize all user inputs and URL parameters in custom code or third-party plugins to prevent similar injection flaws. 6. Monitor web server and application logs for anomalous requests targeting the '_wpnonce' parameter or unusual URL patterns. 7. Consider disabling or restricting the plugin’s functionality if it is not critical to operations until a secure version is deployed. 8. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative accounts to reduce the impact of potential session hijacking.