CVE-2024-13563 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Front End Users plugin for WordPress, developed by rustaurius. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.2.30. The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input in the plugin's forgot-password shortcode, where insufficient sanitization and output escaping allow malicious scripts to be stored persistently in the website's content. An attacker with contributor-level or higher privileges can exploit this by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages rendered by the plugin. Because the malicious script is stored, it executes automatically whenever any user visits the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is significant due to the common use of WordPress and the plugin's role in user management. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in February 2025, with no official patches currently linked, emphasizing the need for immediate attention by site administrators.

The impact of CVE-2024-13563 on organizations worldwide can be substantial, particularly for those relying on the Front End Users WordPress plugin for user management. Exploitation allows authenticated attackers to inject persistent malicious scripts, which can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive user information, unauthorized actions performed with victim user privileges, and potential privilege escalation if administrative users are targeted. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user data and the affected website. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of the web, including many corporate, governmental, and e-commerce sites, the vulnerability could be leveraged to conduct broader attacks such as phishing, malware distribution, or lateral movement within networks. The requirement for contributor-level access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple user roles or where contributor accounts may be compromised. The absence of user interaction for exploitation increases the threat level, as the malicious payload executes automatically upon page access. Organizations failing to address this vulnerability risk reputational damage, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13563, organizations should take immediate and specific actions beyond generic advice: 1) Upgrade the Front End Users plugin to a patched version once available; monitor vendor announcements closely. 2) In the interim, restrict contributor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. 3) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the forgot-password shortcode parameters. 4) Conduct a thorough audit of existing content for injected scripts, especially pages using the vulnerable shortcode, and remove any malicious code found. 5) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. 6) Harden user authentication and monitor contributor accounts for suspicious activity to prevent privilege abuse. 7) Educate site administrators and developers on secure coding practices, emphasizing proper input sanitization and output escaping. 8) Consider disabling or replacing the vulnerable plugin with alternatives that follow secure development standards if immediate patching is not feasible. These targeted measures will reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage.