CVE-2024-29094
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the HT Easy GA4 WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When exploited, these scripts execute in visitors' browsers, potentially stealing credentials, session cookies, or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using HT Easy GA4 plugin versions up to 1.1.7 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- HasThemes HT Easy GA4 (Google Analytics 4) WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, take over the WordPress site, install backdoors, deface the website, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies or credentials, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect users to phishing pages.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts are neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited. While no public PoC exists, the vulnerability type is well-understood and easily weaponized.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.8 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ht-easy-google-analytics/wordpress-ht-easy-ga4-plugin-1-1-7-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'HT Easy GA4 (Google Analytics 4)'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.1.8+ from WordPress.org and replace the plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the HT Easy GA4 plugin until patched
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Add to wp-config.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
- Disable user input fields that accept HTML/JavaScript in plugin settings
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for HT Easy GA4 version. If version is 1.1.7 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='ht-easy-ga4' --field=version (if WP-CLI installed)Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.1.8 or higher in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin admin pages
- Suspicious script tags in form submissions
- Multiple failed login attempts following plugin access
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to unknown domains from your WordPress site
- Unexpected redirects from your site
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("ht-easy-ga4" OR "google-analytics") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ht-easy-google-analytics/wordpress-ht-easy-ga4-plugin-1-1-7-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ht-easy-google-analytics/wordpress-ht-easy-ga4-plugin-1-1-7-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
