CVE-2024-12697 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the real.Kit plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 5.1.1. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping during web page generation, which allows authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages managed by the plugin. This malicious code is stored persistently and executed in the browsers of any users who subsequently access the compromised pages. The vulnerability leverages CWE-79, highlighting improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector is remote over the network, with low attack complexity and no user interaction required beyond the initial authenticated access. The scope is classified as changed, as the vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data but does not impact availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. While no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because Contributor-level access is relatively common in WordPress environments, and the stored nature of the XSS can lead to widespread impact across site users. Potential exploitation scenarios include session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, and distribution of malware through injected scripts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for websites that allow multiple authenticated contributors and have sensitive user data or administrative functions accessible via the plugin. No official patches have been linked yet, so mitigation currently relies on access control and input validation workarounds.

The impact of CVE-2024-12697 on organizations worldwide can be substantial, particularly for those relying on WordPress sites with the real.Kit plugin installed. Successful exploitation allows attackers with relatively low privileges (Contributor-level) to inject persistent malicious scripts, which execute in the browsers of site visitors and administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, enabling attackers to impersonate users or administrators, potentially escalating privileges further. Confidentiality is compromised as attackers may steal sensitive information such as authentication tokens, personal data, or internal communications. Integrity is affected because attackers can modify site content or inject misleading or malicious information. Although availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential regulatory consequences from data breaches can be severe. Organizations with multiple contributors or collaborative content management workflows are at higher risk, as the barrier to exploitation is low. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for further exploitation, such as pivoting to other parts of the network or delivering malware payloads. Given the widespread use of WordPress globally, the threat could affect a broad range of sectors including e-commerce, media, education, and government websites.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12697 effectively, organizations should first verify if the real.Kit plugin is installed and identify the version in use. Immediate mitigation steps include restricting Contributor-level access to trusted users only and auditing existing content for injected scripts. Implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting the plugin’s input fields can reduce risk. Site administrators should enforce strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the real.Kit plugin if feasible. For development teams, reviewing and enhancing input validation and output encoding routines in the plugin’s codebase is critical. Monitoring logs for unusual activity or script injection attempts can provide early warning signs. Regular backups and incident response plans should be updated to address potential XSS exploitation scenarios. Finally, educating contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and maintaining least privilege principles will reduce the likelihood of exploitation.