CVE-2024-12049 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the Woo Ukrposhta plugin for WordPress, which is used to integrate Ukrposhta postal services. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.17.11. It stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied input in the 'order', 'post', and 'idd' URL parameters. Because these parameters are reflected in web pages without proper neutralization, an attacker can craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads. When a victim clicks such a link, the injected script executes in their browser context, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or performing actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability requires no authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity with scope change. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered exploitable. The plugin is widely used in WordPress sites that integrate Ukrposhta shipping services, making it a relevant threat to e-commerce and logistics websites relying on this plugin.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is on the confidentiality and integrity of user data. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of session cookies, enabling account hijacking, or execution of arbitrary scripts that manipulate the victim's interaction with the website. This can facilitate phishing attacks, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or distribution of malware. While availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can have significant operational and financial consequences. Organizations using Woo Ukrposhta in their WordPress environments, especially those handling sensitive customer data or financial transactions, face increased risk of compromise. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation (no authentication required) and the widespread use of WordPress and this plugin increase the potential attack surface globally.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately update the Woo Ukrposhta plugin to a version that addresses the issue once released by the vendor. In the absence of an official patch, administrators can implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'order', 'post', and 'idd' parameters. Input validation and output encoding should be enforced at the application level, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized and escaped before rendering. Additionally, educating users to avoid clicking suspicious links and enabling Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the risk of script execution. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and limiting plugin usage to trusted sources will also help prevent similar vulnerabilities. Monitoring logs for unusual URL patterns and user behavior can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts.