CVE-2024-12239 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PowerPack Lite for Beaver Builder plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.3.0.5. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input in the 'navigate' parameter, which is insufficiently sanitized and escaped before being included in web pages. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that execute in the context of an administrative user’s browser if they click the link. The attack vector is reflected XSS, meaning the malicious script is not stored but reflected immediately in the HTTP response. Exploitation requires social engineering to convince an admin to interact with the malicious link, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, a common web application security issue. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1 indicates medium severity, with attack vector as network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed, and a scope change due to impact on administrative privileges. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the risk remains significant due to the plugin’s usage in WordPress environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and output encoding in web application development, especially for administrative interfaces.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites using the PowerPack Lite for Beaver Builder plugin. An attacker can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of an administrative user, potentially stealing session cookies, performing unauthorized administrative actions, or defacing the site. While availability is not directly affected, the compromise of admin accounts can lead to further attacks that degrade service or inject malware. Organizations relying on this plugin risk data breaches, unauthorized content changes, and loss of trust from users. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction and targets administrators, the attack surface is somewhat limited but still critical due to the high privileges of the targeted users. The reflected nature means attacks are transient but can be highly effective if phishing or social engineering is successful. This can lead to broader compromise of the WordPress environment and connected systems, especially in organizations with sensitive or high-value web assets.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12239, organizations should immediately update the PowerPack Lite for Beaver Builder plugin once a patch is released by the vendor. Until then, implement strict input validation and output encoding on the 'navigate' parameter to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious query parameters containing script payloads targeting this plugin. Limit administrative access by IP whitelisting or VPN to reduce exposure to phishing attempts. Educate administrators about the risks of clicking untrusted links, especially those containing URL parameters. Regularly audit plugin usage and remove unnecessary or outdated plugins to reduce attack surface. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or suspicious URL parameters. Consider disabling the vulnerable plugin temporarily if feasible. Finally, adopt Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources, mitigating the impact of XSS attacks.