CVE-2024-12422 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Import Eventbrite Events plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.7.4. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'page' parameter used during web page generation, which allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When a victim clicks a maliciously crafted URL containing the injected script, the script executes in their browser context, potentially enabling theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or other client-side attacks. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a link). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity with no availability impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, especially those that rely on Eventbrite event imports. The reflected nature of the XSS means the attack payload is not stored on the server but delivered via crafted URLs. Mitigation requires proper input validation and output encoding on the 'page' parameter. Since no patch links are currently available, site administrators must monitor for updates or apply temporary mitigations.

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, phishing, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. Although it does not compromise server availability or integrity directly, the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data can be significantly impacted. This can erode user trust and lead to reputational damage. Since the attack requires user interaction, the impact depends on the success of social engineering efforts. The widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of Eventbrite event management increase the scope of potential victims globally. Organizations relying on this plugin for event imports may face targeted attacks aiming to exploit this vulnerability to compromise user accounts or deliver malware.

Administrators should immediately monitor for official patches or updates from the plugin vendor and apply them as soon as available. In the absence of patches, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'page' parameter. Employ strict input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied inputs, especially URL parameters. Disable or restrict the use of the vulnerable plugin if feasible until a fix is released. Educate users about the risks of clicking suspicious links and implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of XSS attacks. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual activities related to the plugin. Consider using security plugins that provide XSS protection and scanning capabilities. Finally, maintain a robust backup and incident response plan to quickly recover from any potential compromise.