CVE-2024-51780 Overview
CVE-2024-51780 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the eewee Admin Custom WordPress plugin (eewee-admincustom). The flaw stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation [CWE-79]. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by a victim, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. All plugin versions up to and including 1.8.2.4 are affected. The vulnerability requires user interaction and operates over the network, making phishing-style delivery the primary exploitation path.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary script in a victim's browser, hijack authenticated administrator sessions, and pivot to broader WordPress site compromise.
Affected Products
- eewee Admin Custom WordPress plugin versions up to and including 1.8.2.4
- WordPress installations with the eewee-admincustom plugin active
- Administrator and editor accounts authenticated to the affected WordPress site
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51780 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-51780
Vulnerability Analysis
The eewee Admin Custom plugin fails to sanitize and escape user-controlled input before reflecting it into HTTP responses. When a request parameter contains script content, the plugin renders it directly into the resulting HTML page. The browser then parses and executes the injected payload within the WordPress origin context. This is a classic reflected XSS pattern aligned with [CWE-79].
Exploitation requires the attacker to deliver a crafted link to an authenticated user, typically through phishing or social engineering. Because the scope is marked as changed, the executed script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, including WordPress administrative interfaces. The EPSS probability is 0.259% at the 17.085 percentile, reflecting low observed exploitation activity to date.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing output encoding on a reflected request parameter. The plugin treats untrusted GET or POST input as safe HTML and writes it into the response without applying WordPress escaping functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). This allows HTML and JavaScript control characters to break the intended document structure.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated attacker crafts a URL containing a JavaScript payload targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint. The attacker delivers the URL to a logged-in WordPress administrator through email, chat, or a malicious referrer. Upon click, the victim's browser submits the request, receives the reflected response, and executes the payload. The script can read session cookies that are not flagged HttpOnly, submit administrative forms using the victim's session, or modify rendered page content to harvest credentials.
No verified public exploit code is available. The vulnerability mechanism is documented in the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51780
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to eewee-admincustom plugin endpoints containing URL-encoded <script>, onerror=, onload=, or javascript: tokens in query parameters
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains immediately following clicks on suspicious links
- New or modified WordPress administrator accounts, plugins, or theme files created shortly after suspect HTTP requests
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests targeting /wp-content/plugins/eewee-admincustom/ paths with parameters containing HTML or JavaScript syntax
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags reflected XSS patterns against WordPress plugin endpoints
- Correlate authenticated session activity with referrer headers pointing to external or untrusted domains
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress access logs and WAF events to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation
- Alert on Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports indicating inline script execution on administrative pages
- Track plugin file integrity and administrator account changes on a continuous basis
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51780
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations running the eewee-admincustom plugin at version 1.8.2.4 or earlier
- Deactivate the plugin until a patched release is verified and applied
- Force password resets and session invalidation for all administrator accounts on affected sites
- Review recent administrator activity logs for unauthorized configuration or content changes
Patch Information
No fixed version is identified in the NVD record at the time of publication. Monitor the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Advisory and the plugin vendor channel for an updated release addressing the input sanitization defect.
Workarounds
- Deploy WAF signatures that block reflected XSS payloads targeting the eewee-admincustom plugin paths
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources
- Restrict WordPress administrative access by IP allowlist and require multi-factor authentication for all privileged accounts
- Train administrators to avoid clicking unsolicited links that reference WordPress plugin URLs
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
