CVE-2024-22306 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which corresponds to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This vulnerability affects the Mang Board WP plugin developed by Hometory, specifically versions up to and including 1.7.7. The issue allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are stored persistently (Stored XSS) within the web application. When other users access the affected pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim user. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.9, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L) reveals that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, but requires the attacker to have high privileges and user interaction is needed. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact includes low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, suggesting limited but non-negligible damage potential. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly sanitize or neutralize user input before embedding it into web pages, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and later executed in users’ browsers.

For European organizations using the Mang Board WP plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Stored XSS can be leveraged to steal authentication cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malware. Organizations that rely on Mang Board WP for community forums or content management may face reputational damage, data breaches, or unauthorized access incidents. Given the requirement for high privileges to exploit, internal threat actors or compromised accounts pose a significant risk vector. The vulnerability could be exploited to target administrators or privileged users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the organization’s network. The impact on availability is low but could include defacement or disruption of web services. European organizations must consider compliance with GDPR, as exploitation leading to personal data exposure could result in regulatory penalties. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once patches are released or if the vulnerability becomes publicly known.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of the Mang Board WP plugin and identify if versions up to 1.7.7 are deployed. Until an official patch is released, mitigation should include restricting high-privilege user access to the plugin’s input interfaces, implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads, and enforcing strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution contexts. Input validation and output encoding should be applied at the application level where possible. Monitoring logs for suspicious input patterns and anomalous user behavior can help detect attempted exploitation. Organizations should also plan to update the plugin promptly once a patch is available. Additionally, educating privileged users about the risks of XSS and safe browsing practices can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on web application vulnerabilities should be conducted to identify similar issues proactively.