CVE-2024-56292
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Email Reminders WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are then executed when other users view those pages. All WordPress sites using Email Reminders plugin versions up to 2.0.5 are affected. The vulnerability requires user interaction but can lead to session hijacking or unauthorized actions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Email Reminders 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 administrator session cookies, take over WordPress admin accounts, install backdoors, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript that steals user session cookies or credentials when users view compromised pages, potentially leading to account compromise.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before execution, preventing any impact.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited, though specific exploit details for this CVE aren't publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 2.0.5
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Email Reminders plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and remove plugin until patch is released.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Email Reminders Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available.
wp plugin deactivate email-reminders
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
- Restrict plugin access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Email Reminders → Version. If version is 2.0.5 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get email-reminders --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version is higher than 2.0.5 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints with script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts following plugin access
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected JavaScript payloads in HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/email-reminders/
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "email-reminders" AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")