CVE-2024-12177
📋 TL;DR
The Ai Image Alt Text Generator for WP WordPress plugin contains a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts via the 'page' parameter. When a user clicks a specially crafted link, the script executes in their browser, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 1.0.2 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Ai Image Alt Text Generator for WP WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ 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 actions as authenticated users, redirect to phishing sites, or display malicious content.
If Mitigated
With proper web application firewalls and user awareness training, impact is limited to unsuccessful exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited via phishing links. No authentication required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Ai Image Alt Text Generator for WP'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin, then install fresh version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rule
allBlock malicious requests containing XSS payloads in the 'page' parameter
Disable Plugin
linuxTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ai-image-alt-text-generator-for-wp
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Use web application firewall to filter malicious requests to the vulnerable endpoint
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Ai Image Alt Text Generator for WP' version 1.0.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get ai-image-alt-text-generator-for-wp --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.0.3 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with suspicious 'page' parameter values containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Multiple failed requests to plugin endpoints with XSS payloads
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains following visits to crafted URLs
- Unusual traffic patterns to plugin-specific endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND uri="*ai-image-alt-text-generator-for-wp*" AND (query="*<script*" OR query="*javascript:*" OR query="*onload=*" OR query="*onerror=*")