CVE-2024-22142: Cozmoslabs Profile Builder XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-22142 Overview

CVE-2024-22142 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Cozmoslabs Profile Builder Pro plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 3.10.0. It stems from improper neutralization of user-controlled input during web page generation, classified as [CWE-79]. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser session when clicked. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of the authenticated user.

Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the browser of any user who clicks a crafted link, potentially compromising WordPress administrator sessions and site integrity.

Affected Products

Cozmoslabs Profile Builder Pro (WordPress plugin)
All versions from unspecified initial release through 3.10.0
WordPress sites using the affected plugin for user registration and profile management

Discovery Timeline

2024-01-13 - CVE-2024-22142 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-22142

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a reflected XSS flaw in Profile Builder Pro. User-supplied input is echoed into HTTP responses without proper encoding or sanitization. When a victim visits a specially crafted URL, the injected payload is reflected back in the response and executed by the browser. The plugin handles user registration, login, and profile editing flows, making it a high-value target on WordPress sites. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically achieved through phishing or social engineering.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient output encoding on request parameters that flow into rendered HTML. The plugin fails to apply WordPress sanitization helpers such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() before echoing user-controlled values. This allows arbitrary HTML and JavaScript to break out of the intended context.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network without authentication. An attacker builds a URL containing a JavaScript payload targeting a vulnerable Profile Builder Pro endpoint. The attacker delivers the URL through email, social media, or a malicious site. When the victim clicks the link, the payload executes under the origin of the vulnerable WordPress site. Because the scope is changed (S:C), impact can extend to resources beyond the vulnerable component, including administrative session cookies if the victim is a site administrator.

No verified public exploit code is currently available. See the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-22142

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP request logs containing suspicious query parameters with <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or URL-encoded equivalents (%3Cscript%3E) targeting Profile Builder Pro endpoints.
Unexpected outbound requests from user browsers to attacker-controlled domains shortly after visiting the WordPress site.
Unusual administrator session activity, including logins from new IP addresses or user-agent strings.

Detection Strategies

Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that inspects query strings and form parameters submitted to Profile Builder Pro handlers for XSS payload patterns.
Enable WordPress audit logging to track access to plugin endpoints and correlate with referrer headers pointing to external domains.
Review server access logs for parameter values containing HTML tags or JavaScript event handlers directed at the plugin's URL paths.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor for anomalous administrator account behavior such as unexpected role changes, new user creation, or plugin modifications.
Track Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports from browsers visiting the WordPress site.
Alert on high-volume requests to Profile Builder Pro endpoints from single source IPs, which may indicate reconnaissance.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-22142

Immediate Actions Required

Update Cozmoslabs Profile Builder Pro to a version later than 3.10.0 as soon as a patched release is available from the vendor.
Audit WordPress administrator accounts for unauthorized changes and rotate credentials for any account potentially exposed to the vulnerability.
Force logout of all active sessions and require re-authentication after patching.

Patch Information

The advisory identifies affected versions through 3.10.0. Consult the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report and the Cozmoslabs plugin changelog for the fixed release version and upgrade instructions.

Workarounds

Deploy a WAF rule to block requests containing common XSS payload patterns targeting Profile Builder Pro endpoints until the plugin can be updated.
Implement a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) header that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins.
Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface by IP allowlist to reduce the attack surface for privileged users.

bash

# Example nginx CSP header to reduce XSS impact
add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'; frame-ancestors 'self'" always;