CVE-2024-10703
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows high-privilege WordPress users (like administrators) to inject malicious scripts into plugin settings, which then execute when other users view those settings. It affects WordPress sites using the Registrations for the Events Calendar plugin before version 2.13.4, particularly in multisite configurations where unfiltered_html capability is restricted.
💻 Affected Systems
- Registrations for the Events Calendar WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker with admin privileges could inject persistent malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users across the entire WordPress site.
Likely Case
Malicious administrator or compromised admin account injects tracking scripts, defaces content, or steals lower-privileged user credentials through stored XSS payloads.
If Mitigated
With proper privilege separation and admin account security, impact is limited to the specific plugin settings pages viewed by authenticated users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin privileges. Attack vectors could include compromised admin credentials, insider threats, or privilege escalation chains.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.13.4
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/5601ac03-09e4-4b4e-b03e-98323bd36dba/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Registrations for the Events Calendar'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.13.4+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable or remove the plugin if not essential
wp plugin deactivate registrations-for-the-events-calendar
wp plugin delete registrations-for-the-events-calendar
Restrict admin access
allLimit admin privileges to trusted users only and implement strong authentication
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate XSS impact
- Monitor admin user activity and implement privilege separation with role-based access controls
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check plugin version in WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins. Look for 'Registrations for the Events Calendar' version number.Check Version:
wp plugin get registrations-for-the-events-calendar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 2.13.4 or higher. Test plugin settings pages for proper input sanitization.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual admin user activity modifying plugin settings
- HTTP requests containing script tags or JavaScript in plugin parameter values
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from WordPress admin pages to external domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("registrations-for-the-events-calendar" OR "plugin settings") AND ("update_option" OR "save_settings") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror")