CVE-2024-49320: Encyclopedia/Glossary/Wiki XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-49320 Overview

CVE-2024-49320 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Dennis Encyclopedia / Glossary / Wiki WordPress plugin (encyclopedia-lexicon-glossary-wiki-dictionary). The flaw stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. All versions up to and including 1.7.60 are affected. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a malicious URL that, when clicked by a victim, executes attacker-controlled JavaScript in the victim's browser session. The attack requires user interaction and operates with a changed security scope, potentially affecting resources beyond the vulnerable component.

Critical Impact
Reflected XSS enables attackers to hijack authenticated sessions, steal credentials, and perform actions on behalf of WordPress administrators visiting a crafted link.

Affected Products

Dennis Encyclopedia / Glossary / Wiki WordPress plugin (encyclopedia-lexicon-glossary-wiki-dictionary)
All plugin versions from initial release through 1.7.60
WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-17 - CVE-2024-49320 published to NVD
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49320

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting issue classified under [CWE-79]. The plugin echoes attacker-controlled input back into HTML responses without applying sufficient output encoding or input sanitization. Because the reflection occurs in a page rendered by WordPress, injected scripts execute in the context of the WordPress site's origin.

The EPSS probability is 0.262% with a percentile of 17.311, indicating low observed exploitation activity at the time of publication. However, reflected XSS in WordPress plugins is commonly weaponized through phishing campaigns targeting administrators.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or incomplete sanitization of user-supplied request parameters before they are rendered into the HTML response. The plugin does not apply WordPress sanitization helpers such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or sanitize_text_field() to inputs taken from $_GET or $_REQUEST before output. Detailed technical analysis is available in the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a URL containing a malicious payload in a vulnerable parameter consumed by the plugin. The attacker then delivers this URL through phishing emails, social media, or malicious websites. When a victim, particularly an authenticated WordPress administrator, clicks the link, the injected JavaScript executes within the victim's browser under the site's origin. The scope change indicated by the CVSS vector reflects the cross-origin impact on browser-side resources and session data.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49320

Indicators of Compromise

Inbound HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing HTML or JavaScript syntax such as <script>, onerror=, or javascript: in query parameters
Web server access logs showing unusually long or URL-encoded query strings targeting plugin URLs
Referrer headers from external phishing domains pointing to plugin pages

Detection Strategies

Inspect WordPress access logs for requests to plugin paths containing reflected XSS payload patterns
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) ruleset that detects common XSS payload signatures in query parameters
Monitor browser-side errors and Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports for unexpected inline script execution

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize WordPress and reverse proxy logs in a SIEM and alert on XSS payload patterns reaching plugin endpoints
Track administrator session anomalies such as unexpected geolocations, new user creation, or plugin modifications
Establish baseline traffic for the plugin and alert on spikes in parameter-heavy requests

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49320

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Dennis Encyclopedia / Glossary / Wiki plugin to a version later than 1.7.60 once a patched release is published
If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin from affected WordPress installations
Force a password reset for WordPress administrators and invalidate active sessions

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the vulnerability affects all plugin versions through 1.7.60. Site administrators should consult the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report for the current patch status and apply any vendor-supplied update immediately.

Workarounds

Deploy a WAF rule that blocks requests containing script tags, event handlers, or javascript: URIs targeting plugin endpoints
Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins
Restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface by IP allowlist until the plugin is patched or removed

bash

# Example nginx rule to block common reflected XSS payloads against the vulnerable plugin path
location ~* /wp-content/plugins/encyclopedia-lexicon-glossary-wiki-dictionary/ {
    if ($args ~* "(<|%3C)script|onerror=|javascript:") {
        return 403;
    }
}