CVE-2024-9226 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the WordPress plugin Landing Page Cat – Coming Soon Page, Maintenance Page & Squeeze Pages by fatcatapps. The vulnerability exists because the plugin uses the WordPress function add_query_arg to manipulate URL query parameters without proper escaping or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into URLs. When a victim clicks a crafted URL, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or performing actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.7.6 and requires no authentication, making it accessible to unauthenticated attackers. The attack vector is reflected XSS, meaning the injected script is reflected off the web server in the response. The CVSS 3.1 score is 6.1, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is needed. The scope is changed because the vulnerability affects user data confidentiality and integrity. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant due to the plugin's usage in marketing and landing pages, which often have high user interaction. The vulnerability can be mitigated by proper escaping of URL parameters before output, updating the plugin to a patched version once available, or applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious input patterns.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-9226 is on the confidentiality and integrity of user data within affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of session cookies, enabling account hijacking, or execution of arbitrary scripts that can manipulate page content, perform phishing attacks, or redirect users to malicious sites. While availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can be severe for organizations relying on these landing pages for marketing or customer engagement. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, social engineering is a likely exploitation method, increasing risk for end-users. Organizations with high traffic WordPress sites using this plugin are at risk of targeted attacks, especially those handling sensitive user data or financial transactions. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate severity, but the widespread use of WordPress and this plugin in digital marketing amplifies the potential impact globally.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9226, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates from fatcatapps once released. Until a patch is available, administrators can implement strict input validation and output escaping on URL parameters processed by the plugin, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before rendering. Deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the plugin's URL parameters can provide an effective interim defense. Additionally, educating users about the risks of clicking suspicious links and implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the impact of successful XSS attempts. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual activity on affected pages will help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, consider disabling or replacing the plugin with a more secure alternative if immediate patching is not feasible.