CVE-2024-12260 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the 'Ultimate Endpoints With Rest Api' WordPress plugin developed by dipankarpal212. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.2.2. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'page' parameter used during web page generation, which allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. Because the vulnerability is reflected, the malicious payload is embedded in a crafted URL that, when clicked by a victim, causes the injected script to execute in the context of the victim's browser session. This can lead to theft of cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information, as well as unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability does not require authentication, increasing its risk profile, but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating medium severity, with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, meaning network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, scope changed, with low confidentiality and integrity impact and no availability impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation leading to XSS. The plugin is used in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed globally, making the vulnerability relevant to many organizations running WordPress sites with this plugin installed.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12260 is the potential for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the browsers of users who visit vulnerable WordPress sites with the affected plugin. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of authentication cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or unauthorized actions performed with the victim's privileges. Although the vulnerability does not affect server availability or integrity directly, the compromise of user sessions can lead to broader security breaches, including unauthorized access to user accounts or administrative functions. The fact that no authentication is required to exploit the vulnerability increases the risk, as any attacker can craft malicious URLs and distribute them via phishing or other social engineering techniques. The requirement for user interaction (clicking a link) somewhat limits the attack's reach but does not eliminate the risk, especially for high-traffic or public-facing websites. Organizations relying on this plugin for REST API endpoints in WordPress may face reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance issues if exploited. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests the vulnerability is not yet actively exploited, but the medium CVSS score and ease of exploitation warrant prompt attention.

Organizations should immediately assess their WordPress installations for the presence of the 'Ultimate Endpoints With Rest Api' plugin and verify the version in use. Since no official patch links are currently available, administrators should monitor the vendor's channels for updates and apply patches as soon as they are released. In the interim, consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not essential. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on the 'page' parameter to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Educate users about the risks of clicking unsolicited links, especially those that appear suspicious or come from unknown sources. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the affected parameter. Regularly audit and monitor web logs for unusual URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Finally, consider deploying security plugins or services that provide real-time protection against XSS attacks in WordPress environments.