CVE-2024-12076 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting) found in the Target Video Easy Publish plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation in key plugin functions: resync_carousel(), seek_snapshot(), uploaded_cc(), and remove_cc(). Nonces in WordPress are security tokens used to verify that requests are intentional and authorized. The absence or improper implementation of nonce checks allows unauthenticated attackers to perform Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by tricking an authenticated site administrator into clicking a malicious link. When the administrator interacts with the crafted request, the attacker can inject malicious scripts into the site, leading to XSS attacks. These scripts can compromise confidentiality by stealing sensitive data such as cookies or session tokens, and integrity by manipulating site content or functionality. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 3.8.3. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.1 indicates medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12076 is the potential for unauthorized script injection via CSRF, leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks. This can compromise the confidentiality of user data, including session cookies and personal information, enabling account hijacking or unauthorized access. Integrity of the website content and functionality can also be affected, as attackers may alter displayed information or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of administrators. Although availability is not directly impacted, the trustworthiness and security posture of affected websites can be severely damaged. Organizations running WordPress sites with the Target Video Easy Publish plugin are at risk of targeted attacks that exploit administrator interaction, which can lead to broader compromise of the site and its users. The medium severity rating reflects the balance between ease of exploitation (requiring user interaction) and the potential damage caused. The vulnerability could be leveraged in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks to escalate privileges or spread malware.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12076, organizations should immediately verify if their WordPress installations use the Target Video Easy Publish plugin, especially versions up to 3.8.3. If an official patch is released, it should be applied promptly. In the absence of a patch, administrators should consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin until a fix is available. Implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Educate site administrators about the risks of clicking on unsolicited or suspicious links, especially those that could trigger administrative actions. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block CSRF and XSS attack patterns targeting WordPress plugins. Additionally, review and harden nonce validation mechanisms in custom or third-party plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Regularly audit plugin security and monitor logs for unusual administrative actions or requests. Finally, consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrator accounts to reduce the risk of account compromise through session hijacking.