CVE-2024-4400 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Post and Page Builder by BoldGrid – Visual Drag and Drop Editor plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied data in plugin versions up to and including 1.26.4. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages created or edited with the plugin. Once injected, the malicious script executes in the context of any user who views the compromised page, potentially leading to theft of session cookies, privilege escalation, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting the infected page and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required. The scope is changed (S:C) because the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, impacting other users. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of WordPress and the BoldGrid plugin. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation steps by administrators.

The impact of CVE-2024-4400 is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites using the BoldGrid Post and Page Builder plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the browsers of site visitors, which can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive user data, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, and potential defacement or redirection attacks. This can damage the reputation of affected organizations, lead to loss of customer trust, and potentially result in regulatory or compliance issues if user data is compromised. Since contributor-level permissions are required, the threat is elevated in environments where multiple users have editing rights, such as multi-author blogs or corporate websites. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can indirectly cause service disruption if exploited for defacement or malware distribution. Organizations worldwide that rely on this plugin for content management are at risk, especially those with high-traffic websites or sensitive user bases.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4400, organizations should immediately verify if their WordPress installations use the Post and Page Builder by BoldGrid plugin and determine the version in use. Since no patch links are currently available, administrators should consider the following specific actions: 1) Restrict contributor-level permissions to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. 2) Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts targeting the plugin’s input fields. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 4) Regularly audit pages created or edited with the plugin for unexpected or suspicious content. 5) Monitor security advisories from BoldGrid and WordPress for forthcoming patches and apply updates promptly once released. 6) Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the plugin with alternative page builders that do not exhibit this vulnerability until a fix is available. 7) Educate content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content.