CVE-2024-12412 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Rental and Booking Manager for Bike, Car, Dress, Resort with WooCommerce Integration – WpRently' developed by magepeopleteam. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.2.1. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the 'active_tab' parameter. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into the plugin's pages, which is then stored and executed in the browsers of users who visit the affected pages. This type of stored XSS is particularly dangerous because it does not require the attacker to be logged in or have any privileges, and the malicious payload persists until removed. The vulnerability can lead to theft of user credentials, session tokens, defacement, or redirection to malicious websites. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.1, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The scope is changed as the vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user data. No public exploits are known at this time, but the widespread use of WordPress and WooCommerce integration increases the potential attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially plugins that integrate with popular platforms like WooCommerce.

The impact of CVE-2024-12412 on organizations worldwide can be significant, especially for those relying on the affected WordPress plugin for rental and booking management integrated with WooCommerce. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of users visiting the compromised pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information such as login credentials or payment data, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and reputational damage due to defacement or phishing. Since the vulnerability is exploitable by unauthenticated attackers and affects all users who visit the infected pages, it broadens the attack surface considerably. E-commerce sites using WooCommerce are particularly at risk, as attackers could leverage this to compromise customer data or disrupt business operations. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the medium severity score and ease of exploitation without authentication mean that attackers may develop exploits rapidly. Organizations could face regulatory and compliance issues if customer data is compromised. The persistence of stored XSS also means that the malicious code can remain active until detected and removed, increasing the window of exposure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12412 effectively, organizations should: 1) Monitor for and apply updates or patches from the plugin vendor as soon as they are released, as this is the most direct fix. 2) In the absence of an immediate patch, implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'active_tab' parameter. 3) Employ Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages, limiting the impact of any injected scripts. 4) Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations or extensions related to the plugin to ensure proper input validation and output encoding. 5) Educate site administrators and users about the risks of XSS and encourage cautious behavior regarding suspicious links or inputs. 6) Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the plugin if patching is not immediately feasible and the risk is high. 7) Use security plugins that can scan for and remove injected malicious scripts from the WordPress environment. 8) Maintain regular backups to restore clean versions of the site if compromise occurs. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on specific controls related to the vulnerable parameter and the plugin’s integration with WooCommerce.