CVE-2024-51702: SrcSet Responsive Images XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-51702 Overview

CVE-2024-51702 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability [CWE-79] in the SrcSet Responsive Images for WordPress plugin developed by ben.moody. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.4 and stems from improper neutralization of user input during web page generation. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by an authenticated user, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of the targeted user. The vulnerability was published to the National Vulnerability Database on November 9, 2024.

Critical Impact
Reflected XSS enables attackers to execute arbitrary script in a victim's browser, potentially compromising WordPress administrator sessions and site integrity.

Affected Products

SrcSet Responsive Images for WordPress plugin (slug: truenorth-srcset)
All versions from n/a through <= 1.4
WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed and active

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51702 published to NVD
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-51702

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue [CWE-79] in the truenorth-srcset WordPress plugin. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before reflecting it back into HTTP response output. When a user submits a crafted request containing JavaScript payloads, the input is rendered directly within the resulting web page without adequate neutralization.

The attack requires user interaction, meaning a victim must click a malicious link or visit an attacker-controlled page. The scope is changed, indicating the vulnerability can impact resources beyond the security context of the vulnerable component. This typically occurs when injected script executes within the WordPress administrative interface.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing output encoding and input validation in the plugin's request handling logic. User-controlled parameters are passed directly to functions that emit HTML or JavaScript without invoking WordPress sanitization helpers such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or sanitize_text_field(). This violates secure coding practices defined for WordPress plugin development.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based with low complexity. An attacker constructs a URL containing a malicious payload targeting a vulnerable plugin endpoint. The attacker delivers the URL through phishing emails, malicious advertisements, or social media. When an authenticated WordPress user, particularly an administrator, follows the link, the injected JavaScript executes in their browser. The script can exfiltrate session cookies, perform CSRF actions, or inject persistent backdoors via authenticated plugin or theme installation.

No verified public proof-of-concept exploit is documented at this time. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51702

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing requests to truenorth-srcset plugin endpoints with URL parameters embedding <script> tags, javascript: URIs, or HTML event handlers such as onerror= and onload=.
Unexpected outbound connections from administrator browsers to unknown domains following clicks on suspicious links referencing the WordPress admin path.
Creation of new WordPress administrator accounts or unauthorized plugin installations shortly after suspected XSS delivery.

Detection Strategies

Inspect HTTP request and response payloads for reflected input matching common XSS signatures in parameters processed by the truenorth-srcset plugin.
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set tuned for OWASP XSS patterns and monitor for blocked or allowed events tied to the plugin path.
Correlate WordPress audit logs with browser endpoint telemetry to identify anomalous administrative actions originating from XSS-driven sessions.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable detailed access logging on the WordPress front-end and wp-admin interfaces and ship logs to a centralized analytics platform.
Alert on URL parameters containing encoded script delimiters such as %3Cscript%3E, %3Cimg, or javascript%3A.
Monitor for plugin version inventory to identify hosts still running truenorth-srcset<= 1.4.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51702

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress installations running the SrcSet Responsive Images for WordPress plugin and confirm the installed version.
Deactivate and remove the truenorth-srcset plugin if a patched release is not available or if the plugin is no longer required.
Invalidate active administrator sessions and rotate WordPress administrator passwords as a precaution.

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, no fixed version is referenced in the advisory. The vulnerability affects all versions through 1.4. Site administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation guidance and any subsequent vendor updates.

Workarounds

Remove or disable the truenorth-srcset plugin until a vendor patch is published.
Deploy WAF rules that block requests containing script tags or JavaScript event handlers targeting plugin endpoints.
Enforce a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) header to restrict inline script execution within WordPress administrative pages.
Educate administrators to avoid clicking unverified links while authenticated to the WordPress dashboard.

bash

# Configuration example: identify and disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin list --name=truenorth-srcset --fields=name,status,version
wp plugin deactivate truenorth-srcset
wp plugin delete truenorth-srcset