CVE-2024-12165 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Mollie for Contact Form 7 plugin for WordPress, maintained by tsjippy. The vulnerability exists due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the handling of the 'page' parameter. All versions up to and including 5.0.0 are affected. The plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied input before rendering it in the web page, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This is a reflected XSS, meaning the malicious script is embedded in a crafted URL and executed when a user clicks the link. The attack does not require authentication but does require user interaction (clicking the malicious link). The vulnerability can lead to theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or manipulation of page content, impacting confidentiality and integrity of user data. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.1, indicating medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed. No patches or exploits are currently reported, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress sites integrating Mollie payment services with Contact Form 7 forms, making it a relevant threat to e-commerce and business websites.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12165 is the potential compromise of user confidentiality and integrity on affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, which can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. While availability is not directly affected, the loss of trust and potential data breaches can have significant reputational and financial consequences. Organizations using the Mollie for Contact Form 7 plugin, especially those handling sensitive customer data or payment information, face increased risk of targeted phishing and social engineering attacks leveraging this vulnerability. The requirement for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with high user traffic or where attackers can craft convincing social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability's presence in all plugin versions up to 5.0.0 means a broad scope of affected systems worldwide. Without timely remediation, attackers may develop exploits, increasing the threat landscape.

1. Immediate update: Monitor for official patches from the tsjippy vendor and apply updates as soon as they are released. 2. Input validation: Implement additional server-side input validation and sanitization for the 'page' parameter to reject or neutralize suspicious input. 3. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy or update WAF rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'page' parameter in HTTP requests. 4. Content Security Policy (CSP): Enforce strict CSP headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 5. User awareness: Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking untrusted links and encourage cautious behavior. 6. Plugin alternatives: Consider using alternative plugins with better security track records if patching is delayed. 7. Regular security audits: Conduct periodic vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on web application input handling. 8. Disable or restrict plugin features that expose the vulnerable parameter if immediate patching is not feasible. These steps collectively reduce the attack surface and mitigate exploitation risks beyond generic advice.