CVE-2024-13227 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.235. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes in the plugin's Rank Math API. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages managed by the plugin. When other users visit these compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or defacement of web content. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without user interaction, but requires authentication with at least contributor-level permissions, limiting the attack surface to some extent. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating medium severity, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, scope change, and limited confidentiality and integrity impact without availability impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of the Rank Math SEO plugin increase the potential risk. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially plugins that extend CMS functionality.

The impact of CVE-2024-13227 on organizations worldwide can be significant, particularly for those relying on WordPress websites with the Rank Math SEO plugin installed. Successful exploitation allows attackers with contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors and administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users and potentially escalate privileges. It may also facilitate the theft of sensitive data, unauthorized content manipulation, or distribution of malware. Although the vulnerability requires authenticated access, contributor-level permissions are commonly granted to content editors and other non-administrative users, broadening the potential attacker base. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component, potentially impacting the entire website or connected systems. For organizations, this can result in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and compliance issues if sensitive data is exposed. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future attacks, especially as threat actors often target popular CMS plugins. Given the extensive use of WordPress globally, the attack surface is large, making timely mitigation critical.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13227, organizations should first verify the version of the Rank Math SEO plugin in use and upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators can implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict contributor-level permissions strictly to trusted users and review user roles regularly to minimize the number of accounts with write access. 2) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the Rank Math API endpoints. 3) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages, limiting the impact of injected scripts. 4) Sanitize and validate all user inputs at the application level, especially those interacting with SEO plugin features, to prevent malicious data entry. 5) Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected script injections or privilege escalations. 6) Educate content contributors about the risks of uploading or embedding untrusted content. 7) Consider temporarily disabling the Rank Math SEO plugin if immediate patching is not feasible and the risk is deemed high. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, input validation, and runtime protections specific to this vulnerability.