CVE-2024-8719 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Flexmls® IDX Plugin for WordPress, a widely used plugin that integrates real estate listing data into WordPress websites. The vulnerability exists due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in parameters such as 'MaxBeds' and 'MinBeds'. These parameters are not sufficiently sanitized or escaped before being reflected in the web page output, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. Because the vulnerability is reflected, the malicious script is embedded in a crafted URL that, when clicked by a victim, executes in the context of the vulnerable website. This can lead to theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or manipulation of displayed content. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.14.22. Exploitation does not require authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.1 indicates a medium severity, with attack vector being network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and a scope change due to potential impact on user sessions. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is on the confidentiality and integrity of users interacting with affected WordPress sites using the Flexmls® IDX Plugin. Attackers can steal session cookies or authentication tokens, potentially hijacking user accounts or impersonating users. They can also manipulate the content displayed to users, potentially defacing the site or delivering further malicious payloads such as phishing attempts or malware. While availability is not directly impacted, the loss of trust and potential data breaches can have significant reputational and financial consequences for organizations. Real estate websites using this plugin are particularly at risk, as their users may be targeted for fraud or identity theft. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation (no authentication needed, low complexity) increases the likelihood of attacks once exploit code becomes available. Organizations worldwide using this plugin are at risk, especially those with high user traffic or sensitive user data.

1. Upgrade the Flexmls® IDX Plugin to the latest version once a patch is released by the vendor to address CVE-2024-8719. 2. Until a patch is available, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'MaxBeds' and 'MinBeds' parameters. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 4. Sanitize and validate all user inputs on the server side, ensuring that parameters are properly escaped before rendering in HTML output. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking unsolicited or suspicious links, especially those containing query parameters related to the plugin. 6. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests containing suspicious script payloads in the vulnerable parameters. 7. Consider disabling or restricting the plugin's functionality temporarily if risk exposure is high and no patch is available. 8. Regularly audit and update all WordPress plugins to minimize exposure to known vulnerabilities.