CVE-2024-9024 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the Material Design Icons plugin for WordPress, developed by braginteractive. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 0.0.5 due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically within the plugin's mdi-icon shortcode. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied shortcode attributes, which allows authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users visit these compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond page viewing and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting medium severity. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction. No patches have been officially released at the time of reporting, and no known exploits are currently active in the wild. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data but does not impact availability. It is particularly concerning for sites with multiple contributors or editors who can insert shortcode content. Mitigation requires either updating the plugin once a patch is available or applying manual input validation and output escaping measures. Monitoring for suspicious shortcode content and restricting contributor privileges can also reduce risk.

The impact of CVE-2024-9024 is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of WordPress sites using the vulnerable Material Design Icons plugin. Exploitation allows authenticated contributors or higher to inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the context of any user viewing the infected page. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, and potential site defacement or redirection to phishing or malware sites. Organizations relying on this plugin risk compromise of user accounts, especially administrators and editors, which could escalate to full site takeover. While availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can have significant operational and compliance consequences. The vulnerability's requirement for contributor-level access limits exposure but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or weak access controls. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current impact, but the medium severity and ease of exploitation warrant proactive remediation to prevent future attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9024, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates released by braginteractive addressing this vulnerability. In the absence of patches, implement strict input validation and output escaping on all user-supplied shortcode attributes within the plugin code or via custom filters to prevent script injection. Restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and review existing contributor content for malicious shortcode usage. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS payloads in shortcode parameters to block exploitation attempts. Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources and reduce impact of injected scripts. Regularly audit plugin usage and monitor logs for suspicious shortcode activity or unexpected script injections. Educate content contributors about secure content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted code. Finally, consider alternative icon plugins with better security track records if timely patching is not feasible.