CVE-2024-12722 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as CWE-79 (Cross-Site Scripting, XSS) found in the WordPress plugin known as Twitter Bootstrap Collapse aka Accordian Shortcode, version 1.0 and earlier. This plugin allows embedding collapsible content sections in WordPress posts or pages using shortcodes. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes before rendering them on the front-end. As a result, users with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored persistently within the WordPress content. When other users or administrators view the affected page or post, the malicious script executes in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other client-side attacks. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires low complexity, but does require privileges equivalent to a contributor role and user interaction (viewing the page). The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable plugin. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reserved in December 2024 and published in May 2025. The plugin is not widely recognized or from a major vendor, which may limit immediate awareness but does not reduce the risk for sites using it.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to websites running WordPress with the affected plugin installed. If exploited, attackers with contributor-level access can inject persistent XSS payloads, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing actions on behalf of other users including administrators. This can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or defacement of public-facing websites. Organizations relying on WordPress for public communication, e-commerce, or internal portals could face reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The medium severity and requirement for contributor-level access somewhat limit the attack surface but do not eliminate risk, especially in environments where contributor roles are assigned to multiple users or external collaborators. The absence of known exploits suggests a window for proactive mitigation before widespread abuse. However, the stored nature of the XSS means that once injected, the malicious code persists and can affect all visitors until remediated.

1. Immediately audit WordPress sites for the presence of the Twitter Bootstrap Collapse aka Accordian Shortcode plugin and identify versions 1.0 or earlier. 2. Restrict contributor-level permissions to trusted users only, minimizing the number of users who can embed shortcodes. 3. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads in POST requests and shortcode parameters. 4. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and untrusted domains, mitigating impact of stored XSS. 5. Monitor website content for unexpected script tags or suspicious shortcode usage. 6. Engage with the plugin vendor or community to obtain or develop a patch that properly validates and escapes shortcode attributes before output. 7. Until a patch is available, consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not essential. 8. Educate content contributors about the risks of embedding untrusted code or scripts in posts. 9. Regularly update WordPress core and plugins to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.