CVE-2024-4617 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the Rank Math SEO with AI Best SEO Tools plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0.218. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'id' parameter during web page generation, which allows an authenticated attacker with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages managed by the plugin. Because the injected script is stored persistently, it executes every time a user accesses the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing actions on behalf of users with elevated privileges. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting the injected page and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting medium severity. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity while not affecting availability. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, especially those with multiple contributors or editors. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for interim mitigations.

The impact of CVE-2024-4617 is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts, which can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions performed in the context of other users, and potential site defacement. This can erode user trust, lead to data breaches, and facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or malware distribution. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of the web, including many business, e-commerce, and informational sites, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of organizations globally. The requirement for authenticated access limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts, but contributor roles are common in multi-author blogs and corporate sites, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can indirectly cause service disruption through reputational damage or administrative lockouts. Organizations relying on this plugin without timely mitigation risk exposure to targeted attacks and data compromise.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4617, organizations should first verify if they use the Rank Math SEO with AI Best SEO Tools plugin and identify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, restrict contributor-level and higher permissions to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'id' parameter. Enable strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to detect and remove any unauthorized contributors. Monitor logs and user activity for signs of exploitation or anomalous behavior. If feasible, temporarily disable or replace the vulnerable plugin with alternative SEO tools that do not have this vulnerability. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce secure coding and content management practices. Once a patch is available, apply it promptly and verify the fix through testing.