CVE-2024-12239
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts via the navigate parameter in PowerPack Lite for Beaver Builder WordPress plugin. When an administrative user clicks a specially crafted link, the script executes in their browser context. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 1.3.0.5 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- PowerPack Lite for Beaver Builder WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Administrator account compromise leading to full site takeover, data theft, or malware distribution to visitors.
Likely Case
Session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions through social engineering.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if administrators use script-blocking browsers or security plugins that detect XSS attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited via phishing links. No public exploit code is known, but the vulnerability details are public.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.3.0.5
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/powerpack-addon-for-beaver-builder/trunk/includes/admin-settings-templates.php#L62
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find PowerPack Lite for Beaver Builder. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download the latest version from WordPress plugin repository and replace the plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate powerpack-addon-for-beaver-builder
Web Application Firewall rule
allBlock requests containing malicious scripts in the navigate parameter.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate script injection.
- Use browser security extensions or plugins that block reflected XSS attempts.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for PowerPack Lite version. If version is 1.3.0.5 or lower, it is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get powerpack-addon-for-beaver-builder --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify plugin version is above 1.3.0.5. Test by attempting to inject a harmless script via navigate parameter (e.g., ?navigate=<script>alert('test')</script>) and confirm it doesn't execute.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with navigate parameter containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Unusual admin activity following visits to crafted URLs
Network Indicators:
- Outgoing requests to suspicious domains from admin sessions
- Unexpected script loads in admin interface
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*navigate=*script*"