CVE-2024-12499 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WP jQuery DataTable plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 4.0.1. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of user-supplied attributes within the plugin's 'wp_jdt' shortcode. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages generated by the plugin. Since the malicious script is stored persistently, it executes whenever any user accesses the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data theft. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low attack complexity and privileges (contributor or above), but no user interaction is needed for exploitation. The scope is changed (S:C) because the vulnerability affects components beyond the attacker’s privileges, impacting other users. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a common cause of XSS issues. Given the popularity of WordPress and the use of this plugin for data table presentation, the vulnerability presents a significant risk to website confidentiality and integrity.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12499 is the compromise of confidentiality and integrity on affected WordPress sites using the WP jQuery DataTable plugin. Exploitation allows attackers with contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users, including administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, theft of sensitive data such as cookies or credentials, and potential defacement or redirection attacks. While availability is not directly impacted, the trustworthiness and security posture of the affected website is degraded. For organizations relying on this plugin, especially those handling sensitive user data or providing critical services, the vulnerability could facilitate broader attacks or lateral movement within the network. The medium CVSS score reflects that exploitation is feasible but requires some level of authenticated access, limiting the attack surface to insiders or compromised accounts. However, given WordPress’s widespread use globally, the potential scale of impact is significant if left unmitigated.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12499, organizations should first verify if they use the WP jQuery DataTable plugin and identify the version in use. Since no official patches are currently linked, immediate mitigation steps include: 1) Restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious script payloads in shortcode attributes or POST requests related to the plugin. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 4) Sanitize and validate all user inputs at the application level, possibly by customizing or extending the plugin code to enforce stricter escaping and input validation. 5) Monitor logs and user activities for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Stay updated with the plugin vendor’s announcements for official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Consider temporarily disabling the plugin or the vulnerable shortcode if feasible until a fix is released. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, input validation, runtime protection, and proactive monitoring specific to this vulnerability.