CVE-2024-49300 Overview
CVE-2024-49300 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of user input during web page generation [CWE-79]. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by an authenticated or unauthenticated user, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions from unspecified initial releases through 1.16.5. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to attacker-controlled domains.
Critical Impact
Reflected XSS allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser, with a changed security scope that may impact site visitors and administrators.
Affected Products
- Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin (versions up to and including 1.16.5)
- WordPress sites using the hmenu plugin
- Any web application embedding the vulnerable plugin functionality
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-21 - CVE-2024-49300 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49300
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Hero Mega Menu plugin's request handling logic. The plugin reflects user-controlled input back into HTTP responses without proper output encoding or sanitization. When a victim visits a crafted URL, the malicious payload renders within the page's HTML context and executes in the victim's browser.
This is a reflected XSS variant, meaning the payload is not stored on the server. The attack requires user interaction, typically through a phishing link or malicious referrer. Because the vulnerability has a changed scope, injected scripts can access resources beyond the vulnerable component's security boundary.
The impact includes theft of session cookies, manipulation of page content, and forced actions on behalf of authenticated users. Administrative accounts represent the highest-value targets, as compromise can lead to full WordPress site takeover.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. The plugin fails to apply context-appropriate escaping functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() before reflecting parameters into the response. WordPress provides these sanitization APIs specifically to prevent such issues, but the affected code paths bypass them.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a URL containing a JavaScript payload in a vulnerable parameter, then delivers it through phishing emails, malicious advertisements, or social media. When the target clicks the link on a site running the vulnerable plugin, the payload executes in their authenticated session context.
The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied query parameters are echoed into HTML without encoding. Refer to the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49300
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server logs containing HTTP requests with <script>, javascript:, or onerror= patterns targeting Hero Mega Menu plugin endpoints
- Unexpected outbound connections from administrator browsers to unfamiliar domains shortly after clicking links to the WordPress site
- Unauthorized changes to WordPress administrator accounts, themes, or plugins following XSS-related log entries
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP access logs for URL parameters containing URL-encoded script tags or event handler attributes directed at hmenu plugin paths
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with OWASP Core Rule Set signatures for reflected XSS targeting WordPress plugins
- Monitor browser Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports for inline script execution attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to track administrative actions correlated with suspicious referrer URLs
- Alert on plugin file modifications and new administrator account creation events
- Track HTTP response bodies for reflected input matching known XSS payload patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49300
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Hero Mega Menu plugin to a version newer than 1.16.5 once the vendor publishes a patched release
- If no patch is available, deactivate and remove the plugin until a fixed version is released
- Force password resets for WordPress administrator accounts that may have clicked suspicious links
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, all versions through 1.16.5 are affected. Site administrators should monitor the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory and the plugin's official WordPress.org page for patched releases. Apply updates through the WordPress admin dashboard or via WP-CLI as soon as they become available.
Workarounds
- Deploy a WAF rule set that blocks reflected XSS payloads targeting WordPress plugin parameters
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy header that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins
- Restrict access to the WordPress admin area using IP allowlisting or VPN-based authentication to reduce administrator exposure to phishing links
# Example WordPress CSP header configuration in .htaccess
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.
