CVE-2024-5946 identifies a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Squelch Tabs and Accordions Shortcodes plugin for WordPress, specifically in the ‘tab’ shortcode functionality. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of user input and inadequate escaping of output during web page generation, allowing malicious JavaScript code to be stored persistently in the site content. Attackers with authenticated Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary scripts into pages or posts using the vulnerable shortcode. When other users visit these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 0.4.8 of the plugin. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, requiring privileges (Contributor or above), no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No public exploits have been reported yet. The vulnerability was published on July 9, 2024, and assigned by Wordfence. Due to the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin’s functionality in managing tabs and accordions, this vulnerability poses a notable risk to websites using this plugin without proper updates or mitigations.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential for stored XSS attacks, which can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive user information, unauthorized actions performed in the context of authenticated users, and defacement or manipulation of website content. Since the vulnerability requires Contributor-level access, it limits exploitation to users who already have some level of authenticated access, but this is still significant because many WordPress sites allow multiple contributors or editors. The scope change indicated in the CVSS vector means that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component, potentially impacting other users and site administrators. For organizations, this can result in reputational damage, loss of user trust, and compliance issues if sensitive data is exposed. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks within the network or to distribute malware to site visitors.

1. Immediately restrict Contributor-level and higher access to trusted users only until a patch is available. 2. Monitor and audit all content created or edited using the ‘tab’ shortcode for suspicious or unexpected scripts. 3. Implement additional input validation and output escaping at the application or web server level, such as using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the shortcode. 4. Regularly update the Squelch Tabs and Accordions Shortcodes plugin as soon as the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 5. Educate content creators and administrators about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce strict content policies. 6. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 7. Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing focusing on plugin vulnerabilities and user privilege management.