CVE-2024-44053 Overview
CVE-2024-44053 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Mohammad Arif Opor Ayam WordPress theme. The flaw affects all versions from an unspecified initial release through version 1.8. The theme fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in a victim's browser session. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically through a crafted link. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-79.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in a victim's browser, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious content.
Affected Products
- Mohammad Arif Opor Ayam WordPress theme, all versions through 1.8
- WordPress sites using the vulnerable theme in production
- Any downstream deployments packaging the affected theme version
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-09-15 - CVE-2024-44053 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-44053
Vulnerability Analysis
The Opor Ayam theme accepts input parameters and reflects them back into rendered HTML without applying proper output encoding or sanitization. An attacker crafts a URL containing malicious JavaScript payloads in query parameters or form fields. When a victim clicks the crafted link, the theme reflects the payload into the response page, and the browser executes the injected script in the site's origin context.
Because the scope metric changes (S:C), the injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component's security scope. This allows attackers to access authenticated session data, perform actions on behalf of the victim, or steal cookies scoped to the parent WordPress installation.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input neutralization during web page generation. The theme does not apply WordPress escaping functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or esc_url() before echoing user-controllable data into HTML output. This maps directly to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network and requires user interaction. An attacker distributes a crafted URL through phishing emails, malicious ads, or social media posts. When a victim visits the link on a site running the vulnerable theme, the payload executes in their browser. No authentication is required to launch the attack. Refer to the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44053
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing URL parameters with <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or onload= patterns
- Unusual outbound requests from user browsers to attacker-controlled domains following visits to theme-rendered pages
- Reports from users of unexpected redirects, pop-ups, or credential prompts after clicking WordPress links
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with signatures for reflected XSS payloads targeting WordPress themes
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and monitor CSP violation reports for blocked inline script executions
- Correlate access log anomalies with browser telemetry to identify script execution originating from theme-rendered responses
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress wp-content/themes/opor-ayam/ for the installed version and flag versions at or below 1.8
- Track HTTP request patterns containing encoded angle brackets (%3C, %3E) and JavaScript event handlers in query strings
- Review authentication logs for session anomalies following user interaction with reflected content
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44053
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the Opor Ayam theme version 1.8 or earlier
- Deactivate and remove the vulnerable theme until a patched version becomes available
- Rotate administrator credentials and invalidate active sessions if suspicious activity is observed
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no patched version beyond 1.8 is listed in the vendor advisory. Consult the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report for the current remediation status and replace the theme when a fix is released.
Workarounds
- Replace the affected theme with a maintained WordPress theme that follows current escaping practices
- Deploy a WAF rule set that blocks reflected XSS payloads targeting WordPress theme endpoints
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins
- Educate users to avoid clicking untrusted URLs pointing to the affected site
# Example CSP header to reduce reflected XSS impact
Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'; frame-ancestors 'self'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
