CVE-2024-8861: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in metagauss ProfileGrid – User Profiles, Groups and Communities
The ProfileGrid – User Profiles, Groups and Communities plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in all versions up to, and including, 5.9.3.2 due to incorrect use of the wp_kses_allowed_html function, which allows the 'onclick' attribute for certain HTML elements without sufficient restriction or context validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The ProfileGrid WordPress plugin suffers from a stored XSS vulnerability caused by incorrect sanitization of HTML input. Specifically, the wp_kses_allowed_html function is misused, allowing the 'onclick' attribute on certain HTML elements without proper context validation. This flaw enables authenticated users with Contributor or higher privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages, which executes when other users access those pages. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 5.9.3.2 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
Potential Impact
An attacker with Contributor-level access or above can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of other users viewing the injected pages. This can lead to information disclosure and integrity impacts, such as session hijacking or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. Availability is not affected. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider disabling or limiting the use of the affected plugin. Monitor for vendor updates regarding patches or official mitigations.
CVE-2024-8861: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in metagauss ProfileGrid – User Profiles, Groups and Communities
Description
The ProfileGrid – User Profiles, Groups and Communities plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in all versions up to, and including, 5.9.3.2 due to incorrect use of the wp_kses_allowed_html function, which allows the 'onclick' attribute for certain HTML elements without sufficient restriction or context validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The ProfileGrid WordPress plugin suffers from a stored XSS vulnerability caused by incorrect sanitization of HTML input. Specifically, the wp_kses_allowed_html function is misused, allowing the 'onclick' attribute on certain HTML elements without proper context validation. This flaw enables authenticated users with Contributor or higher privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages, which executes when other users access those pages. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 5.9.3.2 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
Potential Impact
An attacker with Contributor-level access or above can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of other users viewing the injected pages. This can lead to information disclosure and integrity impacts, such as session hijacking or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. Availability is not affected. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider disabling or limiting the use of the affected plugin. Monitor for vendor updates regarding patches or official mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2024-09-13T22:01:58.107Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 699f6b38b7ef31ef0b54f685
Added to database: 2/25/2026, 9:35:52 PM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 8:30:47 PM
Last updated: 4/11/2026, 8:50:18 PM
Views: 14
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