CVE-2024-51762: PropertyShift Plugin XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-51762 Overview

CVE-2024-51762 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Chris Gipple PropertyShift WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.0.0. The plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in a victim's browser session. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, such as clicking a crafted link. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-79] and can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected web context. The issue carries an EPSS probability of 0.231%.

Critical Impact

Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in victim browsers, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.

Affected Products

• Chris Gipple PropertyShift WordPress plugin
• PropertyShift versions from n/a through 1.0.0
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable PropertyShift plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51762 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-51762

Vulnerability Analysis

The PropertyShift plugin reflects user-controlled input back into rendered HTML output without proper encoding or sanitization. An attacker crafts a URL containing malicious JavaScript payloads in request parameters. When a victim follows the link, the plugin echoes the unsanitized input into the response page, where the browser executes it as legitimate script content.

Because the vulnerability has a scope change component, injected scripts can affect resources beyond the immediate vulnerable component. The attack runs in the security context of the targeted WordPress site, granting access to cookies, session tokens, and DOM content visible to the user.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, mapped to [CWE-79]. The plugin does not apply output encoding functions such as WordPress's esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() when echoing request parameters into HTML. This allows script tags and event handlers supplied by attackers to be rendered as executable markup.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted URL via phishing email, malicious advertisement, or social media post. When an authenticated WordPress administrator or visitor clicks the link, the injected payload executes. The attacker can then steal authentication cookies, perform actions as the victim, redirect users to attacker-controlled domains, or deface page content.

The vulnerability mechanism involves reflection of request parameters into the HTTP response without contextual escaping. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51762

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP request logs containing <script>, javascript:, or onerror= patterns in PropertyShift plugin URL parameters
• Unusual outbound connections from administrator browsers to unfamiliar domains shortly after accessing WordPress pages
• WordPress audit logs showing unexpected administrative actions originating from valid sessions
• Referrer headers containing encoded JavaScript payloads targeting PropertyShift endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules that identify reflected XSS patterns in query strings and form fields
• Inspect WordPress access logs for requests to PropertyShift plugin paths containing HTML special characters or script keywords
• Monitor Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports for inline script execution attempts on pages rendered by the plugin

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose HTTP request logging on the WordPress reverse proxy or hosting platform
• Forward web server logs to a centralized analytics platform for pattern matching against XSS signatures
• Alert on phishing campaigns referencing the targeted WordPress site in threat intelligence feeds

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51762

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or deactivate the PropertyShift plugin until an upstream patch is verified
• Audit WordPress administrator and editor accounts for unauthorized changes or session activity
• Force a global password reset and invalidate active sessions for privileged users
• Apply WAF rules that block reflected XSS payloads targeting plugin endpoints

Patch Information

No vendor patch is referenced in the CVE record at the time of publication. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the current patch status and any vendor advisories. Replace the plugin with a maintained alternative if no fix becomes available.

Workarounds

• Remove the PropertyShift plugin from the WordPress installation if it is not business-critical
• Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and untrusted external sources
• Restrict access to WordPress administrative pages by IP allowlist or VPN
• Train staff to avoid clicking unsolicited links pointing to the WordPress site

# Example Content Security Policy header for nginx
add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'; frame-ancestors 'none';" always;
add_header X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block" always;
add_header X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff" always;