CVE-2024-13463 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the thesiim SeatReg plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.56.0. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes within the plugin's 'seatreg' shortcode. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages that utilize the shortcode. When other users access these pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially allowing attackers to hijack sessions, steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or manipulate page content. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond page access but does require the attacker to have authenticated contributor-level privileges, which are common in collaborative WordPress environments. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required but no user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, impacting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No patches or official fixes are listed yet, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. This vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient input validation in WordPress plugins that handle user-generated content and shortcodes, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices and timely updates.

The impact of CVE-2024-13463 can be significant for organizations using the SeatReg plugin on WordPress sites, especially those with multiple contributors or editors. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the affected site, leading to potential session hijacking, theft of sensitive information such as cookies or tokens, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, and defacement or manipulation of site content. This can undermine user trust, lead to data breaches, and facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the organization’s web infrastructure. Since the vulnerability requires contributor-level access, attackers may leverage compromised or weak contributor accounts to initiate attacks. The scope change means that the attacker can affect users with higher privileges or broader access, increasing the risk to site administrators and editors. Although availability is not impacted, the confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content are at risk. Organizations relying on SeatReg for event or seat management may face reputational damage and operational disruptions if exploited. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the medium severity score indicates that the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to avoid exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13463, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates from the thesiim SeatReg plugin vendor once available. In the absence of patches, administrators should restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and review existing contributor accounts for suspicious activity. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the 'seatreg' shortcode can provide interim protection. Site administrators should audit all pages using the shortcode for suspicious or unauthorized script content and remove any injected code. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help limit the impact of injected scripts by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded or executed. Additionally, developers maintaining the site should consider sanitizing and escaping all user inputs and shortcode attributes manually if possible, or temporarily disabling the SeatReg plugin if the risk is unacceptable. Regular security training for contributors on safe content practices and monitoring logs for unusual behavior can further reduce risk. Finally, organizations should maintain regular backups of site content to enable recovery in case of compromise.