CVE-2024-13566 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WP DataTable plugin for WordPress, developed by samsk. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 0.2.6 due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'id' parameter during web page generation. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly neutralize input, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users access these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising session tokens, redirecting users, or performing unauthorized actions on their behalf. The vulnerability requires authentication at a low privilege level but does not require user interaction to trigger the payload once injected. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS. This flaw highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially plugins that handle dynamic content in CMS platforms like WordPress.

The impact of CVE-2024-13566 can be significant for organizations running WordPress sites with the vulnerable WP DataTable plugin installed. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with Contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of any user visiting the affected pages. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement, or distribution of malware. Since contributors are often trusted users, the attack surface includes many legitimate accounts, increasing risk. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, potentially compromising higher-privileged users or administrators. While the vulnerability does not directly impact availability, the confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content are at risk. Organizations with high-traffic WordPress sites, especially those relying on user-generated content workflows, face increased exposure. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability is public.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13566, organizations should take several specific actions beyond generic advice: 1) Immediately update the WP DataTable plugin to a patched version once available; monitor vendor announcements for fixes. 2) Restrict Contributor-level user permissions to the minimum necessary, limiting their ability to inject or modify content that includes the 'id' parameter. 3) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious script injection patterns targeting the 'id' parameter in HTTP requests. 4) Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of plugins, especially those handling dynamic content, to identify and remediate input validation weaknesses. 5) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 6) Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7) Educate content contributors about secure content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted code. 8) Consider isolating or sandboxing plugin-generated content to reduce impact if exploitation occurs. These steps collectively reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage.