CVE-2024-9073 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the GutenGeek Free Gutenberg Blocks plugin for WordPress, developed by wpopal. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.1.3. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of SVG file uploads, which are accepted by the plugin. Authenticated users with Author-level permissions or higher can upload malicious SVG files containing embedded JavaScript. When these SVG files are rendered on pages viewed by other users, the embedded scripts execute in their browsers. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, privilege escalation, or the injection of further malicious content. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction. The scope is changed because the vulnerability affects other users beyond the attacker. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding, especially for file uploads that can contain executable content.

The impact of CVE-2024-9073 on organizations worldwide can be significant, particularly for websites using the GutenGeek Free Gutenberg Blocks plugin. Exploitation allows attackers with Author-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors or administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information such as cookies or credentials, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement of websites, or distribution of malware. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, the risk is higher in environments where multiple users have elevated privileges or where account compromise is easier. The scope of impact extends beyond the attacker to all users who view the infected SVG content, potentially affecting site visitors and administrators alike. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and cause operational disruptions. Given WordPress’s large market share and the plugin’s usage, a broad range of organizations including small businesses, blogs, and enterprises could be affected if they do not remediate promptly.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9073, organizations should first update the GutenGeek Free Gutenberg Blocks plugin to a version where this vulnerability is fixed once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict Author-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious SVG uploads. Implement additional server-side validation to sanitize SVG files before upload, removing any embedded scripts or potentially dangerous content. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources and reduce the impact of injected scripts. Regularly audit user roles and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. Monitor website logs and user activity for suspicious file uploads or unusual behavior. Consider disabling SVG uploads entirely if not required or replacing the plugin with alternatives that properly sanitize inputs. Finally, educate users with elevated privileges about the risks of uploading untrusted files and enforce strong authentication controls to prevent account compromise.