CVE-2024-12098
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts via the 'utm_keyword' parameter in the ARS Affiliate Page WordPress plugin. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this by tricking users into clicking specially crafted links, potentially stealing session cookies or redirecting users. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 2.0.2 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- ARS Affiliate Page WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers steal administrator session cookies, gain administrative access to WordPress, install backdoors, deface websites, or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies, perform account takeovers, redirect users to malicious sites, or display phishing content.
If Mitigated
With proper web application firewalls and security headers, malicious payloads are blocked before reaching users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to trick users into clicking malicious links. No authentication is required to trigger the vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.0.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/ars-affiliate-page/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'ARS Affiliate Page' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify the plugin version is 2.0.3 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock or sanitize 'utm_keyword' parameter containing script tags and JavaScript patterns
Disable Plugin
linuxTemporarily deactivate the ARS Affiliate Page plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ars-affiliate-page
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Deploy a web application firewall with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for ARS Affiliate Page version 2.0.2 or lowerCheck Version:
wp plugin get ars-affiliate-page --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 2.0.3 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing 'utm_keyword' parameter with script tags or JavaScript code
- Unusual referrer URLs with encoded payloads
Network Indicators:
- GET requests with suspicious 'utm_keyword' parameter values containing <script> tags or JavaScript functions
SIEM Query:
http.uri_query CONTAINS 'utm_keyword' AND (http.uri_query CONTAINS '<script' OR http.uri_query CONTAINS 'javascript:')