CVE-2024-49230 Overview
CVE-2024-49230 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Ajax Custom CSS/JS WordPress plugin (ajax-awesome-css) developed by harry005 (harpreetsingh). The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 2.0.4 and is classified under [CWE-79]. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when opened by an authenticated user, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. Because the vulnerability crosses a security boundary (scope changed), successful exploitation can impact data beyond the vulnerable component.
Critical Impact
Attackers can hijack authenticated WordPress sessions, steal cookies, or perform actions in the context of the victim through crafted links that require only user interaction.
Affected Products
- Ajax Custom CSS/JS WordPress plugin — all versions through 2.0.4
- Vendor: harpreetsingh (harry005)
- Plugin slug: ajax-awesome-css
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-18 - CVE-2024-49230 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49230
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation within the Ajax Custom CSS/JS plugin. The plugin reflects request parameters back into rendered HTML without proper sanitization or output encoding. An attacker who convinces a logged-in WordPress administrator to click a crafted link can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the administrator's browser context. Reflected XSS in an admin-facing WordPress plugin often escalates to full site compromise through creation of rogue administrator accounts, injection of persistent backdoors into themes, or theft of authenticated session cookies.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input sanitization and output encoding on parameters processed by the plugin's request handlers. User-controlled data flows directly into the HTML response without being escaped through WordPress functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). This aligns with [CWE-79], Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires user interaction (UI:R). The attacker crafts a URL containing a malicious payload targeting a vulnerable plugin endpoint, then delivers it through phishing email, malicious advertising, or a compromised web page. When a WordPress user with an active session visits the URL, the injected script executes in their browser under the site's origin. No authentication is required from the attacker to craft the payload, only the victim's interaction. Refer to the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49230
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP GET requests to ajax-awesome-css plugin endpoints containing script tags, javascript: URIs, or encoded payloads such as %3Cscript%3E.
- Referer headers from unknown external domains directing traffic to WordPress admin URLs containing plugin parameters.
- Creation of unauthorized WordPress administrator accounts or unexpected modifications to theme files following admin sessions.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to plugin URLs containing suspicious query strings, HTML entities, or event handlers like onerror= and onload=.
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule matching reflected XSS signatures targeting the ajax-awesome-css plugin path.
- Monitor WordPress audit logs for privilege changes, new user creation, and plugin or theme file modifications correlated with admin session activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable browser Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to capture blocked script executions on WordPress admin pages.
- Alert on outbound requests from admin browsers to unfamiliar domains that may indicate cookie exfiltration.
- Track plugin version inventory across WordPress deployments to identify hosts still running ajax-awesome-css version 2.0.4 or earlier.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49230
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Ajax Custom CSS/JS plugin from all WordPress sites until a patched version is confirmed available.
- Force password resets and session invalidation for all WordPress administrators who may have interacted with untrusted links.
- Review site content, users, and installed plugins or themes for signs of unauthorized changes.
Patch Information
No fixed version is listed in the NVD entry at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects all releases through 2.0.4. Consult the Patchstack advisory and the plugin's official repository for updated release information before reinstalling.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the plugin and replace its functionality with WordPress's built-in Additional CSS customizer or a maintained alternative.
- Deploy a WAF with reflected XSS protection rules covering WordPress plugin endpoints.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy on the WordPress site to limit inline script execution.
- Restrict administrative access to trusted IP ranges to reduce the attack surface for phishing-delivered payloads.
# Configuration example: remove the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate ajax-awesome-css
wp plugin delete ajax-awesome-css
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
