CVE-2024-13386 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the tobig quote-posttype-plugin for WordPress, present in all versions up to and including 1.2.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the Author field where input is not adequately sanitized or escaped before rendering. This allows authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that is stored persistently and executed in the context of any user accessing the affected page. The vulnerability leverages CWE-79, a common web security weakness related to XSS. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requiring privileges but no user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C) because the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, potentially impacting other users. The impact includes limited confidentiality and integrity loss, such as session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a credible risk for affected WordPress sites. The plugin is used to manage quote post types, so any site utilizing this plugin is at risk if not updated or mitigated.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-13386 is the potential for attackers with Contributor-level access to execute persistent XSS attacks, which can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. This can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement, or the delivery of further malicious payloads such as malware or phishing content. Since the vulnerability affects stored content, the malicious script executes every time the compromised page is viewed, increasing the attack surface. Organizations running WordPress sites with this plugin risk reputational damage, data breaches, and user trust erosion. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack to insiders or compromised accounts, but many WordPress sites allow Contributor-level roles for content creators, making exploitation feasible. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can indirectly cause service disruptions if exploited for broader attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13386, organizations should immediately update the tobig quote-posttype-plugin to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict Contributor-level permissions to trusted users only and consider temporarily disabling the plugin if feasible. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious script injections in the Author field can reduce risk. Additionally, site administrators should audit existing content for injected scripts and sanitize or remove any malicious payloads. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting script execution sources. Regularly monitoring logs for unusual activity related to the plugin and user accounts with Contributor access is recommended. Finally, educating users about the risks of XSS and enforcing strong authentication controls can reduce the likelihood of account compromise.