CVE-2024-12299 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the System Dashboard plugin for WordPress, developed by qriouslad. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.8.15 due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of the Filename parameter during web page generation. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input before embedding it into HTML output, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The attack vector is unauthenticated and remote, requiring no prior access or privileges. However, successful exploitation depends on social engineering to trick an administrative user into clicking a maliciously crafted URL containing the injected script. Once executed in the administrator's browser, the attacker can potentially steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of the admin, or manipulate site content, thereby compromising confidentiality and integrity. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant given the widespread use of WordPress and the critical role of administrative accounts. The reflected nature of the XSS means the payload is not stored but delivered via crafted links, emphasizing the importance of user caution and input validation. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, increasing urgency for interim mitigations.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12299 is on the confidentiality and integrity of WordPress sites using the System Dashboard plugin. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of an administrative user, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized changes to site content or configuration, and further compromise of the website. While availability is not directly affected, the compromise of administrative privileges can lead to broader attacks including defacement or malware injection. Organizations relying on this plugin risk exposure of sensitive data and loss of trust if administrative accounts are compromised. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation (no authentication needed, low complexity) combined with the need for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective. Given WordPress's global popularity and the plugin's usage, the scope of affected systems is broad, impacting websites ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate widespread damage but does not preclude future attacks. The vulnerability also poses reputational risks and potential compliance issues for organizations handling sensitive data.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12299, organizations should first verify if they use the System Dashboard plugin by qriouslad and identify the version in use. Since no official patch is currently linked, immediate steps include disabling or uninstalling the plugin if feasible. If the plugin is essential, implement strict input validation and output encoding on the Filename parameter to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting reflected XSS patterns to block suspicious requests. Educate administrative users about the risks of clicking unknown or suspicious links, emphasizing caution with URLs received via email or messaging. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual query parameters or access patterns indicative of attempted exploitation. Additionally, enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative accounts to reduce the impact of session hijacking. Regularly update WordPress core and plugins to receive security patches promptly once available. Finally, consider deploying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources, mitigating the impact of injected scripts.