CVE-2024-13673
📋 TL;DR
The Big Boom Directory WordPress plugin has a stored XSS vulnerability in its 'bbd-search' shortcode. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts that execute when users view affected pages. This affects all plugin versions up to and including 2.5.0.
💻 Affected Systems
- Big Boom Directory 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 could steal admin credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and content review, impact is limited to potential defacement of specific pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once attacker has contributor credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.5.1
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3262078/big-boom-directory
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find Big Boom Directory
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If manual update needed, download version 2.5.1 from WordPress.org
6. Deactivate old plugin
7. Upload and activate new version
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Big Boom Directory plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate big-boom-directory
Restrict User Roles
allRemove contributor-level access from untrusted users
wp user list --role=contributor
wp user set-role <username> subscriber
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution
- Use web application firewall with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Big Boom Directory version ≤2.5.0Check Version:
wp plugin get big-boom-directory --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 2.5.1 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin with bbd-search parameters
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor login
Network Indicators:
- Script tags with suspicious attributes in bbd-search shortcode parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "bbd-search" AND ("script" OR "onclick" OR "javascript:")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3258281%40big-boom-directory&new=3258281%40big-boom-directory&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3262078%40big-boom-directory&new=3262078%40big-boom-directory&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/5284cbe4-1550-4f3c-be54-e2de8a089512?source=cve
