CVE-2024-11935 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability identified in the Email Address Obfuscation plugin for WordPress, developed by neotrendy. This vulnerability exists due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the ‘class’ parameter in the plugin’s code. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.0.1. An attacker with at least Contributor-level privileges can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages rendered by the plugin. Because the malicious script is stored persistently, it executes every time a user accesses the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability does not require user interaction to trigger once the page is loaded, and it can affect the confidentiality and integrity of data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change with low confidentiality and integrity impact but no availability impact. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress sites makes this a relevant threat for many organizations relying on this obfuscation tool for email protection.

The impact of CVE-2024-11935 can be significant for organizations running WordPress sites using the affected Email Address Obfuscation plugin. Exploitation allows attackers with Contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts, which can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, defacement, or distribution of malware. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, the risk is somewhat mitigated by the need for an attacker to have contributor privileges, but many WordPress sites allow such roles for content creators or editors, increasing the attack surface. The scope of affected systems is broad due to WordPress’s global popularity and the plugin’s usage. Organizations with multiple contributors or less restrictive role management are at higher risk. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can damage reputation and trust if exploited. No known exploits in the wild reduce immediate risk, but the public disclosure increases the likelihood of future exploitation attempts.

To mitigate CVE-2024-11935, organizations should first check if they are using the Email Address Obfuscation plugin by neotrendy and verify the version. Since no official patch is currently available, immediate mitigation steps include: (1) Restrict Contributor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. (2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the ‘class’ parameter or script injection attempts in plugin-related pages. (3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. (4) Regularly audit user-generated content and plugin output for injected scripts or anomalies. (5) Monitor WordPress security advisories for updates or patches from the vendor and apply them promptly once released. (6) Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the plugin with a secure alternative until a fix is available. (7) Educate content contributors about secure input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on role management, WAF tuning, CSP enforcement, and proactive monitoring specific to this vulnerability.