CVE-2024-39652 Overview
CVE-2024-39652 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability [CWE-79] in the WPWeb Elite WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions prior to 4.9.5 and stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a malicious URL that, when visited by a victim, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary script in a victim's browser, enabling session theft, credential harvesting, or redirection to attacker-controlled infrastructure within the context of the vulnerable WordPress site.
Affected Products
- WPWeb Elite WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin for WordPress
- All versions prior to 4.9.5
- WordPress installations with the plugin enabled and reachable over the network
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-01 - CVE-2024-39652 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-39652
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a reflected XSS issue in the WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin. User-controlled input included in an HTTP request is reflected back into the rendered HTML response without proper encoding or sanitization. Because the response reflects attacker input directly into the page markup, a crafted request can inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes under the origin of the target WordPress site.
Exploitation requires user interaction: the victim must follow a crafted link or submit a malicious form. The attack traverses a security scope boundary, meaning injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, including the broader WordPress admin or storefront context. No authentication is required for the attacker to craft the payload.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or inadequate output encoding on request parameters consumed by the plugin's page generation logic. Input is written to the HTML response without context-aware escaping, allowing <script> tags and HTML event handlers supplied in query parameters to be parsed and executed by the browser.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires victim interaction. An attacker crafts a URL pointing at a vulnerable endpoint of the WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin with a malicious payload embedded in a reflected parameter. Phishing, social engineering, or malicious advertising typically delivers the link. When an authenticated administrator or shop manager clicks the link, the injected script executes with their session privileges, enabling account takeover, voucher manipulation, or pivoting to further site compromise.
See the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-39652
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing requests to WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin endpoints with URL-encoded <script>, onerror=, onload=, or javascript: payloads in query parameters.
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to unfamiliar domains shortly after visiting plugin URLs.
- WordPress audit logs showing administrator actions originating from unusual IP addresses or user agents.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP request parameters targeting /wp-content/plugins/woocommerce-pdf-vouchers/ paths for script tags, HTML entities, and encoded JavaScript constructs.
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) ruleset tuned for reflected XSS patterns against the WordPress site.
- Correlate referer headers against WordPress admin login activity to identify suspicious inbound navigation.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging and forward events to a centralized log platform for retention and alerting.
- Monitor for new administrator accounts, modified user roles, and unauthorized plugin or theme installations.
- Alert on anomalous request parameter lengths or unusual character sets reaching plugin endpoints.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-39652
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin to version 4.9.5 or later on every WordPress site where it is installed.
- Review administrator and shop manager accounts for unauthorized changes made since the plugin was last updated.
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and invalidate active sessions if suspicious activity is identified.
Patch Information
The vendor addressed CVE-2024-39652 in WooCommerce PDF Vouchers version 4.9.5. Site operators should apply the update through the WordPress plugin management interface or via WP-CLI. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for version confirmation.
Workarounds
- Disable the WooCommerce PDF Vouchers plugin until the patched release can be deployed.
- Place the WordPress site behind a WAF configured to block reflected XSS payloads in query strings.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) that restricts inline script execution and limits allowed script sources.
# Update the plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin update woocommerce-pdf-vouchers --version=4.9.5
# Verify the installed version
wp plugin get woocommerce-pdf-vouchers --field=version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.