CVE-2024-56267 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the html5maps Interactive UK Map plugin, specifically in versions up to and including 3.4.8. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored persistently within the application. When other users access the affected pages, the malicious script executes in their browsers under the context of the vulnerable site. This can lead to a range of attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and distribution of malware. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page, increasing its exploitability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the presence of stored XSS in a widely used interactive map plugin poses a significant security risk. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and pending detailed assessment. The vulnerability affects web applications that integrate the Interactive UK Map plugin, which is commonly used in websites displaying geographic data related to the UK. The technical root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output encoding, allowing malicious payloads to be embedded in map-related data fields. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in web components that handle user input and dynamic content generation.

The impact of CVE-2024-56267 is substantial for organizations using the html5maps Interactive UK Map plugin. Successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user data by enabling attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. It can also affect availability indirectly by facilitating further attacks such as malware distribution or defacement, which can damage organizational reputation and trust. Since the vulnerability is stored XSS, the malicious payload persists and can affect multiple users over time, increasing the attack surface. Organizations with customer-facing web applications that incorporate this plugin are at risk of customer data breaches and regulatory non-compliance. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as a foothold for more advanced attacks within the victim’s network. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a likely target for attackers once exploit code becomes available. The impact is particularly critical for sectors relying on geographic data visualization for public services, government portals, or commercial platforms serving UK-related content.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56267, organizations should prioritize updating the html5maps Interactive UK Map plugin to a version where the vulnerability is patched once available. In the absence of an official patch, immediate mitigation includes implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied data fields related to the map plugin, ensuring that inputs are sanitized to remove or encode potentially malicious characters. Employ output encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding to neutralize scripts before rendering content on web pages. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting the plugin. Conduct thorough security testing, including automated and manual penetration testing focused on the map integration points. Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases. Monitor web application logs for suspicious activity indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. Finally, consider deploying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers, reducing the impact of potential XSS attacks.