CVE-2024-49651 Overview
CVE-2024-49651 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Matt Royal WooCommerce Maintenance Mode plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 2.0.1. The plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in the browser of a victim who clicks a crafted link. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-79] and requires user interaction to exploit. Successful exploitation can compromise session integrity, disclose limited data, and enable further client-side attacks against WordPress site administrators and visitors.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser session, enabling credential theft, session hijacking, and administrative account compromise on affected WooCommerce sites.
Affected Products
- Matt Royal WooCommerce Maintenance Mode plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 2.0.1
- WordPress sites running the free edition of woocommerce-maintenance-mode
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-29 - CVE-2024-49651 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49651
Vulnerability Analysis
The WooCommerce Maintenance Mode plugin reflects attacker-controlled input back into rendered pages without proper output encoding. An attacker crafts a URL containing malicious JavaScript in a vulnerable parameter and delivers it to a target through phishing, forum posts, or malicious advertisements. When the victim opens the link, the plugin echoes the payload into the response and the browser executes it in the context of the WordPress site.
The scope-changed impact means injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. This includes stealing session cookies, performing actions on behalf of authenticated administrators, and rewriting page content to launch further social-engineering attacks.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. The plugin accepts request data and inserts it into HTML output without applying context-appropriate escaping functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). WordPress provides these sanitization primitives specifically to prevent XSS, and the plugin does not consistently apply them to reflected parameters.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network and requires no privileges on the target site. The attacker must convince a user to click a crafted link, satisfying the user-interaction requirement. Because the payload executes within the site's origin, the attacker gains access to cookies, localStorage, and any authenticated actions available to the victim. Administrator targets are especially valuable because their sessions enable plugin installation, user creation, and persistent site compromise.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently listed for this vulnerability. Technical details are available in the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49651
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing HTTP requests to WooCommerce Maintenance Mode plugin endpoints with query parameters that include <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or URL-encoded equivalents such as %3Cscript%3E.
- Referrer headers pointing to attacker-controlled domains directing users to plugin URLs with unusual parameter payloads.
- Unexpected outbound connections from administrator browsers immediately after visiting plugin-related URLs.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that inspects query strings for common XSS payload patterns targeting the woocommerce-maintenance-mode plugin path.
- Review WordPress access logs for anomalous parameter values against plugin URLs and correlate with administrator session activity.
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to capture script-source violations that indicate reflected payload execution.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for creation of new WordPress administrator accounts, unexpected plugin installations, or theme edits following suspicious URL visits.
- Alert on administrator sessions initiated from unusual IP addresses or user agents shortly after clicking external links.
- Track outbound requests from wp-admin pages to unknown domains, which can indicate exfiltration by injected scripts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49651
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the WooCommerce Maintenance Mode plugin to a version later than 2.0.1 once the vendor releases a patched build. Confirm current status through the WordPress plugin repository.
- If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin from all WordPress installations until a fix is published.
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and invalidate active sessions if suspicious activity is observed.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version is listed in the NVD entry beyond the affected range through 2.0.1. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation guidance and vendor status.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the WooCommerce Maintenance Mode plugin until a patched release is available.
- Deploy a web application firewall with rules that block reflected XSS payloads targeting the plugin's request parameters.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins.
- Train administrators to avoid clicking untrusted links to their own WordPress site and to use browser isolation for administrative tasks.
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate woocommerce-maintenance-mode
wp plugin delete woocommerce-maintenance-mode
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
