CVE-2024-54237 Overview
CVE-2024-54237 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Anzar Ahmed Ni CRM Lead plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of user-controlled input during web page generation [CWE-79]. The vulnerability affects all versions of the ni-crm-lead plugin up to and including 1.3.0. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by an authenticated or unauthenticated user, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. The issue is tracked under CWE-79 and carries network-based exploitability with user interaction required.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized actions performed in the context of the victim's WordPress session.
Affected Products
- Anzar Ahmed Ni CRM Lead plugin for WordPress
- All versions from n/a through 1.3.0
- WordPress sites with the ni-crm-lead plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-13 - CVE CVE-2024-54237 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54237
Vulnerability Analysis
The Ni CRM Lead plugin fails to sanitize user-supplied input before reflecting it back into HTTP responses. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript payloads through crafted request parameters. When a user follows a malicious link containing the payload, the browser renders the injected script in the context of the vulnerable WordPress site.
The scope is marked as changed, meaning the injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, including the broader WordPress administrative session. The EPSS probability is 0.41%, indicating limited near-term exploitation likelihood, but reflected XSS remains a common vector for credential harvesting and phishing campaigns.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing output encoding and input validation in the plugin's request handlers. User input passed via query parameters is concatenated into HTML output without escaping special characters such as <, >, and ". This permits HTML and script tag injection.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires the attacker to deliver a crafted URL to a target user, typically through phishing or social engineering. The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. No authentication is needed to deliver the payload, though the impact is amplified when the victim has elevated privileges on the WordPress site.
The vulnerability manifests when reflected input is rendered in the response page without HTML entity encoding. See the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for technical details on the specific parameter and payload structure.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54237
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP request logs containing URL parameters with encoded <script>, onerror=, or javascript: payloads targeting ni-crm-lead endpoints
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains following a click on a crafted link
- WordPress audit log entries showing unauthorized account or content modifications without corresponding legitimate admin activity
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to ni-crm-lead plugin paths containing suspicious query string characters such as <, >, %3C, %3E, or javascript:
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule set that flags reflected XSS patterns in query parameters
- Correlate referrer headers with off-site phishing domains targeting WordPress administrators
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose access logging on the WordPress host and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and search
- Monitor for anomalous administrator session activity such as plugin installations or user role changes initiated from unusual IP addresses
- Alert on Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports if CSP is configured on the site
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54237
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress instances running the ni-crm-lead plugin at version 1.3.0 or earlier and prioritize remediation
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if a patched version is not available or the plugin is no longer required
- Force administrative session resets and rotate credentials for users who may have clicked suspicious links
Patch Information
At time of writing, the Patchstack advisory lists affected versions through 1.3.0 with no fixed version published. Monitor the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory and the WordPress plugin repository for an updated release from the vendor.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the ni-crm-lead plugin until the vendor releases a security update
- Deploy a WAF with reflected XSS signatures to block malicious query strings targeting the plugin
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins
- Train administrators to avoid clicking unsolicited links pointing to the WordPress site, particularly those containing encoded characters in query parameters
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
