CVE-2024-13679 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the simply4net Widget BUY.BOX plugin for WordPress, present in all versions up to and including 3.1.5. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes in the plugin's 'buybox-widget' shortcode. This flaw enables authenticated users with contributor-level privileges or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users access these compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, manipulate page content, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level, but no user interaction needed. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin's potential deployment in e-commerce or content-rich sites. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in plugin development to prevent XSS attacks.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-13679 is on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites using the Widget BUY.BOX plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the vulnerable site, which can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive user data, defacement, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users. Since the attack requires contributor-level access, the threat is more relevant in environments where multiple users have elevated privileges, such as collaborative content management or multi-author blogs. The vulnerability does not directly impact availability but can indirectly cause reputational damage and user trust erosion if exploited. Organizations relying on this plugin for e-commerce or customer interaction may face increased risk of fraud or data leakage. The medium severity score reflects these moderate but meaningful risks. Given the plugin’s potential presence in many WordPress installations worldwide, the scope of affected systems is broad, especially in small to medium businesses and online retailers.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13679, organizations should first check for updates or patches from simply4net addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should consider disabling or removing the Widget BUY.BOX plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Restricting contributor-level access strictly to trusted users reduces the risk of exploitation. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the 'buybox-widget' shortcode parameters can provide temporary protection. Additionally, site owners should audit existing content for injected scripts and remove any suspicious code. Enforcing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting script execution sources. Regular security reviews of plugins and user permissions, combined with user education about the risks of privilege misuse, will further reduce exposure. Finally, monitoring logs for unusual activity related to the plugin or contributor accounts can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts.