CVE-2024-5571 – This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPre... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-5571?

CVE-2024-5571 has a CVSS score of 6.4 (MEDIUM). This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages using the EmbedPress plugin's PDF widget. The scripts execute whenever users view the compromised pages, enabling attackers to steal cookies, redirect users, or perform other malicious actions. All WordPress sites using EmbedPress up to version 4.0.1 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages using the EmbedPress plugin's PDF widget. The scripts execute whenever users view the compromised pages, enabling attackers to steal cookies, redirect users, or perform other malicious actions. All WordPress sites using EmbedPress up to version 4.0.1 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

EmbedPress WordPress Plugin

Versions: All versions up to and including 4.0.1

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires authenticated user with contributor role or higher; affects both Gutenberg and Elementor integrations

📦 What is this software?

Embedpress by Wpdeveloper

View all CVEs affecting Embedpress →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, take over the WordPress site, deface pages, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts that steal user session cookies, potentially compromising user accounts and enabling further site manipulation.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper user access controls and content security policies, impact is limited to defacement or minor data leakage from affected pages.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires contributor-level WordPress access; XSS payloads can be easily crafted and injected via the PDF widget URL parameter

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 4.0.2 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3097114/

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find EmbedPress plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 4.0.2+ from WordPress.org and manually update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Remove Contributor Access

all

Temporarily restrict contributor-level users from accessing the site until patched

Disable EmbedPress Plugin

linux

Temporarily deactivate the EmbedPress plugin until patched

wp plugin deactivate embedpress

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate XSS impact
Regularly audit user accounts and remove unnecessary contributor-level access

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → EmbedPress version. If version is 4.0.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin get embedpress --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

After updating, verify EmbedPress version is 4.0.2 or higher in WordPress plugins list.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with embedpress parameters
Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor login

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests containing malicious script tags in URL parameters
Unexpected outbound connections from WordPress site after page views

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress.log" AND ("embedpress" OR "wp-admin/admin-ajax.php") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-5571

CVSS v3 Score: 6.4 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CWE: CWE-79

Published: June 5, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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