CVE-2024-37549
📋 TL;DR
This stored XSS vulnerability in the Pdfcrowd Save as PDF WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view affected pages, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using this plugin version 4.0.0 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Save as PDF plugin by Pdfcrowd for WordPress
📦 What is this software?
Save As Pdf by Pdfcrowd
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, take over WordPress sites, install backdoors, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers steal session cookies or user credentials, perform actions as authenticated users, or deface websites.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts are neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited, though specific exploit details for this CVE aren't publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.0.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Save as PDF by Pdfcrowd'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd
Implement WAF Rules
allConfigure web application firewall to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin entirely if patching isn't possible
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Save as PDF by Pdfcrowd' version 4.0.0 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin get save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 4.0.1 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints
- Script tags or JavaScript in plugin-related form submissions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing script tags or JavaScript to plugin URLs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (plugin="save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd" OR uri="/wp-content/plugins/save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd/") AND (payload CONTAINS "<script>" OR payload CONTAINS "javascript:")🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd/wordpress-save-as-pdf-plugin-by-pdfcrowd-plugin-3-4-0-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd/wordpress-save-as-pdf-plugin-by-pdfcrowd-plugin-3-4-0-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
