CVE-2024-6669 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the AI ChatBot for WordPress – WPBot plugin developed by quantumcloud. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 5.5.7. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of input fields within the admin settings interface, allowing an authenticated attacker with administrator privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The vulnerability specifically impacts WordPress multi-site installations or single-site installations where the unfiltered_html capability is disabled, which restricts users from posting unfiltered HTML content. When a malicious script is injected, it is stored persistently and executed in the context of any user who visits the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing actions on behalf of the victim. The attack vector requires no user interaction beyond visiting the infected page, but does require high privileges (administrator or above) to inject the payload. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level due to the combination of high privileges required and the potential for confidentiality and integrity impacts without affecting availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential compromise of user confidentiality and integrity within affected WordPress sites. An attacker with administrator access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of any user visiting the compromised pages, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed with the victim's privileges. This can result in defacement, data leakage, or further compromise of the WordPress environment. Since the vulnerability requires administrator-level access to exploit, the risk is somewhat mitigated by the need for high privileges; however, in environments where multiple administrators exist or where administrator accounts are compromised, the threat is significant. Multi-site WordPress installations are particularly at risk, which are common in large organizations and hosting providers. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can undermine trust and lead to reputational damage. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of AI chatbot plugins, many organizations worldwide could be impacted if they have the vulnerable plugin installed and configured in the affected manner.

To mitigate CVE-2024-6669, organizations should first update the AI ChatBot for WordPress – WPBot plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once released by the vendor. Until a patch is available, administrators should restrict access to the plugin’s settings page to only the most trusted users and review all administrator accounts for suspicious activity. Enabling the unfiltered_html capability only for highly trusted users can reduce risk. Additionally, implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Regularly audit and sanitize all inputs in the WordPress admin area, and consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting this plugin. Monitoring logs for unusual admin activity and scanning for injected scripts on pages can help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, educate administrators on the risks of XSS and the importance of secure plugin management.