CVE-2024-6363 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the urkekg Stock Ticker plugin for WordPress, present in all versions up to and including 3.24.4. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes in the plugin's stock_ticker shortcode. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level or higher privileges can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages using this shortcode. Because the malicious script is stored persistently, it executes whenever any user accesses the infected page, enabling attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, requiring privileges, no user interaction, and a scope change. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the flaw is publicly disclosed and should be considered exploitable. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress environments where contributors can add or edit content, as it allows them to escalate their influence beyond their intended permissions. The issue highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially plugins that accept user input for dynamic content generation.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-6363 is the compromise of user confidentiality and integrity on affected WordPress sites. Attackers with contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of any user visiting the infected page, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of authentication cookies, defacement, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, privilege escalation, and reputational damage to the affected organization. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, the risk is somewhat mitigated by access controls, but many WordPress sites allow contributor or author roles for content creation, increasing exposure. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, amplifying its impact. Although availability is not directly affected, the indirect consequences of exploitation could disrupt normal operations. Organizations relying on the Stock Ticker plugin for financial or stock information display may face trust issues and potential data leakage. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept code could emerge following public disclosure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-6363, organizations should immediately update the urkekg Stock Ticker plugin to a patched version once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict contributor-level and higher access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious shortcode attribute injection. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious script tags or JavaScript event handlers in shortcode attributes can provide interim protection. Site owners should audit existing content for injected scripts and remove any suspicious shortcode usage. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the impact of XSS by restricting script execution sources. Additionally, developers and administrators should review and harden input validation and output encoding practices in all plugins and themes, especially those accepting user input for dynamic content. Regular security scanning and monitoring for unusual activity or content changes can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, educating content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted code and enforcing the principle of least privilege for user roles will reduce attack surface.