CVE-2024-4104 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the giuliopanda ADFO – Custom data in admin dashboard WordPress plugin, present in all versions up to and including 1.9.0. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'dbp_id' parameter, which is used during web page generation in the admin dashboard. Because the input is not properly neutralized, an attacker can craft a malicious URL containing a script payload in the 'dbp_id' parameter. When an unsuspecting user, such as an administrator or editor, clicks this URL, the injected script executes in their browser context. This reflected XSS does not require authentication, making it accessible to remote attackers. The vulnerability affects confidentiality and integrity by potentially allowing theft of session cookies, defacement of the admin interface, or execution of unauthorized actions. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.1 reflects a network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction, with a scope change due to script execution in the victim's context. No patches or known exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The plugin is used within WordPress environments, which are widely deployed globally, especially in small to medium enterprises and personal websites.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-4104 is the potential compromise of user session confidentiality and integrity within affected WordPress sites using the vulnerable plugin. Attackers can steal authentication cookies or tokens, enabling account takeover or privilege escalation. Additionally, malicious scripts could perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user, such as changing settings or injecting further malicious content. While availability is not directly impacted, the trustworthiness and integrity of the admin dashboard are compromised, potentially leading to reputational damage and loss of control over the website. Organizations relying on this plugin, especially those with administrative users who might be targeted, face increased risk of compromise. Given the unauthenticated nature of the attack and the need for user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to exploit this vulnerability at scale. The widespread use of WordPress and the plugin's presence in many websites globally increases the potential attack surface.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4104, organizations should immediately update the giuliopanda ADFO – Custom data in admin dashboard plugin to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should implement strict input validation and output encoding for the 'dbp_id' parameter within the plugin code to neutralize malicious scripts. Employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'dbp_id' parameter can provide interim protection. Additionally, administrators should educate users about the risks of clicking untrusted links, especially those purporting to lead to the admin dashboard. Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for WordPress admin accounts can reduce the impact of session hijacking. Regularly monitoring logs for unusual access patterns or script injection attempts is recommended. Finally, restricting access to the admin dashboard by IP whitelisting or VPN can further reduce exposure.