CVE-2024-49308: Animator Plugin Reflected XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-49308 Overview

CVE-2024-49308 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Toast Plugins Animator plugin, also known as Scroll Triggered Animations, for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of user input during web page generation [CWE-79]. All plugin versions up to and including 3.0.15 are affected. An attacker can craft a malicious URL that, when clicked by an authenticated user, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. Successful exploitation allows session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized actions performed in the context of the targeted user.

Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser by tricking them into clicking a crafted link, leading to account compromise and content manipulation within affected WordPress sites.

Affected Products

Toast Plugins Animator (Scroll Triggered Animations) WordPress plugin
All versions from n/a through <= 3.0.15
WordPress sites with the scroll-triggered-animations plugin installed and active

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-17 - CVE-2024-49308 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49308

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in the Toast Plugins Animator plugin for WordPress. User-supplied input is reflected back into the rendered HTML response without adequate output encoding or sanitization. The plugin fails to apply WordPress sanitization helpers such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() before placing request parameters into the page. An attacker who entices a user to follow a malicious link can execute arbitrary script in the victim's authenticated session context.

The issue is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. Exploitation requires user interaction, and the scope is changed, meaning script executes in the WordPress site's origin and can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient input validation and output encoding on parameters processed by the plugin. Request data flows directly into HTML output, allowing attacker-controlled content to be parsed as executable script by the browser. WordPress provides built-in escaping APIs that the plugin does not consistently apply on the reflection path.

Attack Vector

The attack vector 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, social media, or malicious advertising. When an administrator or other privileged WordPress user opens the link, the payload executes in their browser. The attacker can then exfiltrate session cookies, perform CSRF-style actions, inject persistent backdoors, or pivot to administrative functions of the site.

No authenticated proof-of-concept exploit is publicly listed, and the vulnerability is not in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS probability is 0.313%. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49308

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing query parameters with <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or URL-encoded variants targeting plugin endpoints under scroll-triggered-animations.
Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains immediately after visiting a crafted URL.
Unauthorized administrative actions (user creation, plugin installation, content modification) following clicks on external links.

Detection Strategies

Inspect HTTP request logs for reflected parameters that contain HTML or script syntax when targeting the affected plugin paths.
Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) ruleset that flags script tags, event handlers, and encoded payloads in query strings.
Correlate browser-side Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports with WordPress admin sessions to identify XSS execution attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose access logging on the WordPress front-end and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform for query string analysis.
Monitor WordPress audit logs for privilege changes, new administrator accounts, and unexpected plugin or theme modifications.
Track anomalous session activity, including new IP addresses or user agents on accounts that recently interacted with external URLs.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49308

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Toast Plugins Animator (Scroll Triggered Animations) plugin to a version above 3.0.15 once the vendor releases a fixed release.
If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the scroll-triggered-animations plugin from all affected WordPress sites.
Force a password reset and session invalidation for all administrator accounts on potentially impacted sites.
Audit installed plugins, themes, and user accounts for unauthorized changes made after the disclosure date.

Patch Information

Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for the current patch status. Affected versions extend through 3.0.15. Administrators should monitor the WordPress plugin repository for a vendor-supplied update and apply it across all environments.

Workarounds

Deploy a WAF rule that blocks requests containing script tags, JavaScript URIs, or common XSS payloads targeting plugin endpoints.
Apply a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline script execution to reduce the impact of reflected payloads.
Restrict WordPress administrative access by IP allowlisting and require multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts.
Train administrators to avoid clicking unsolicited links pointing to their own WordPress hostnames.

bash

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI until a patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate scroll-triggered-animations
wp plugin delete scroll-triggered-animations