CVE-2024-13379 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the C9 Admin Dashboard plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.3.5. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of SVG file uploads, which allows authenticated users with Author-level access or higher to embed arbitrary JavaScript code within SVG files. When these SVG files are accessed or rendered by other users, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data theft. The vulnerability leverages CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Exploitation requires network access and authenticated privileges but no user interaction, increasing the risk in environments where multiple users have content upload capabilities. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with a vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change. No public exploits have been reported to date, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, especially those with multiple authors or contributors. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by administrators.

The impact of CVE-2024-13379 can be significant for organizations running WordPress sites with the vulnerable C9 Admin Dashboard plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and further compromise of the web application. Since the vulnerability is stored XSS, the malicious payload persists and affects all users who view the infected SVG files, amplifying the attack surface. This can undermine user trust, lead to data breaches, and cause reputational damage. The requirement for Author-level access limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts, but in multi-user environments, this is a realistic threat. The vulnerability does not directly impact server availability but compromises confidentiality and integrity. Organizations with high-value web assets or sensitive user data are at increased risk, especially if they rely on this plugin for administrative dashboard functions.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13379, organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately restrict or disable SVG file uploads in the C9 Admin Dashboard plugin until a patch is available. 2) Review and limit user roles and permissions to minimize the number of users with Author-level or higher access, reducing the risk of malicious uploads. 3) Implement server-side input validation and sanitization for all uploaded SVG files, using libraries that can safely parse and strip potentially harmful scripts or elements. 4) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 5) Monitor web server logs and user activity for unusual SVG upload patterns or unexpected script execution. 6) Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once released. 7) Consider using alternative plugins with better security track records if immediate patching is not feasible. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling upload capabilities, enforcing strict input validation, and leveraging browser security features.