CVE-2024-12207 identifies a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Toggles Shortcode and Widget plugin for WordPress, specifically in all versions up to and including 1.14. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), where the 'content' parameter is insufficiently sanitized and escaped before being rendered. This allows an authenticated attacker with administrator-level privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. The malicious script is stored persistently and executes in the context of any user who visits the infected page. The vulnerability is constrained to multi-site WordPress installations or those with the unfiltered_html capability disabled, which restricts HTML content filtering. Exploitation requires high privileges (administrator) but does not require user interaction once the malicious content is injected. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.4 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, high attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and partial confidentiality and integrity impact. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the risk remains due to the potential for session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other client-side attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in WordPress plugins, especially those handling user-generated content in multi-site environments.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12207 is the potential for stored cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. An attacker with administrator access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of users visiting the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. While availability is not directly impacted, the trustworthiness of the affected website is compromised, which can lead to reputational damage and loss of user confidence. The requirement for administrator privileges limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where administrator accounts may be compromised or shared. Multi-site WordPress installations are particularly vulnerable, which are often used by large organizations, educational institutions, and enterprises, increasing the potential scale of impact. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation. Organizations failing to address this vulnerability may face targeted attacks leveraging this flaw to escalate privileges or conduct persistent client-side attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12207, organizations should first verify if they are running the Toggles Shortcode and Widget plugin version 1.14 or earlier in a multi-site WordPress environment or with unfiltered_html disabled. Immediate mitigation steps include restricting administrator access to trusted personnel and auditing existing administrator accounts for compromise. Since no official patch is currently available, administrators should consider disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin until a fix is released. Applying strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help limit the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns related to the 'content' parameter can reduce exploitation risk. Regularly monitoring logs for unusual administrator activity and scanning for injected scripts on pages can aid early detection. When a patch becomes available, prompt application is critical. Developers should also review and improve input sanitization and output escaping in the plugin code to prevent similar issues. Finally, educating administrators on secure plugin management and the risks of elevated privileges will help reduce attack vectors.