CVE-2024-51670
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the JS Help Desk WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are then executed when other users view those pages. The vulnerability affects all WordPress sites using JS Help Desk plugin versions up to and including 2.8.7. Attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- JS Help Desk – Best Help Desk & Support Plugin for WordPress
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, gain administrative access to WordPress sites, install backdoors, deface websites, or compromise user data.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions as authenticated users within the help desk system.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before execution, preventing exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires attacker to have access to submit content to the help desk system (typically authenticated user access). The vulnerability details and exploitation methods are publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.8.8 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'JS Help Desk' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, download version 2.8.8+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the JS Help Desk plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate js-support-ticket
Content Security Policy
allImplement strict Content Security Policy headers to mitigate XSS impact
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Add to nginx config: add_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
- Restrict plugin access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → JS Help Desk version. If version is 2.8.7 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get js-support-ticket --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 2.8.8 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual help desk ticket submissions with script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts to help desk interface
- Unexpected JavaScript in help desk content
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from help desk pages
- Unusual traffic patterns to help desk endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("js-help-desk" OR "js-support-ticket") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onload=" OR "onerror=")