CVE-2024-11897 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Contact Form, Survey & Form Builder – MightyForms plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.3.9 due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes within the plugin's 'mightyforms' shortcode. Specifically, authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages by manipulating shortcode attributes. Because the malicious script is stored persistently, it executes every time a user accesses the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require authenticated access, which limits the attack surface to users with some level of trust within the WordPress environment. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, privileges required at the contributor level, no user interaction, and a scope change indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable plugin. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the nature of stored XSS makes it a significant risk if exploited. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The plugin is widely used in WordPress sites for creating forms, surveys, and contact pages, making this vulnerability relevant to many websites globally. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-11897 is the potential for attackers with contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts into WordPress pages using the MightyForms plugin. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive user data, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement, or distribution of malware. Since the injected scripts execute in the context of the victim's browser, any user visiting the compromised page is at risk. For organizations, this can result in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory consequences if sensitive data is exposed. The requirement for authenticated access limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts, but many WordPress sites allow contributor-level access to multiple users, increasing risk. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the plugin itself, potentially impacting the entire site. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability is publicly known. Organizations relying on MightyForms for critical customer interactions or data collection are particularly vulnerable to operational disruption and data breaches.

To mitigate CVE-2024-11897, organizations should first check for any official patches or updates from MightyForms and apply them immediately once available. In the absence of a patch, administrators should restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and audit existing users for suspicious accounts. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the 'mightyforms' shortcode can help reduce risk. Additionally, site administrators can sanitize and validate all user inputs manually or via custom code to ensure no malicious scripts are stored. Monitoring logs for unusual shortcode usage or unexpected script injections can provide early detection. Educating contributors about safe content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted code is also beneficial. Finally, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the MightyForms plugin with a more secure alternative until a fix is released. Regular backups and incident response plans should be in place to recover quickly if exploitation occurs.