CVE-2024-54266 Overview
CVE-2024-54266 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ImageRecycle pdf & image compression plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 3.1.16. It stems from improper neutralization of user-controlled input during web page generation, tracked under [CWE-79]. An attacker can craft a malicious URL that, when opened by an authenticated user, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability requires user interaction and can cross security scopes, enabling attacks against site administrators.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser, potentially leading to session theft, credential harvesting, or unauthorized administrative actions on the WordPress site.
Affected Products
- ImageRecycle pdf & image compression plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 3.1.16
- WordPress sites with the plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-13 - CVE-2024-54266 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54266
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in the ImageRecycle WordPress plugin. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before reflecting it back within an HTTP response. When a victim follows an attacker-crafted URL, the injected script executes in the browser under the origin of the WordPress site.
Because the CVSS scope is changed, script execution can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. Attackers commonly leverage this class of flaw to hijack administrative sessions, perform actions on behalf of the victim, or pivot to further compromise of the WordPress installation.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing output encoding and input validation on a plugin-controlled request parameter. User-supplied values are inserted directly into the rendered HTML without escaping special characters such as <, >, ", and '. This allows attacker-supplied HTML and JavaScript to break out of intended contexts and execute in the browser.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an attacker to deliver a crafted URL to an authenticated WordPress user, typically through phishing, malicious links in comments, or third-party sites. No prior privileges are required on the target site, but the victim must click the link. Once the payload is reflected in the response, the browser executes the injected script within the site's origin. The vulnerability is described in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently referenced in the CVE record.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54266
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP requests to ImageRecycle plugin endpoints containing HTML tags, <script> fragments, or URL-encoded payloads such as %3Cscript%3E in query parameters
- Referer headers originating from untrusted third-party domains preceding administrative actions
- WordPress administrator sessions performing unusual actions shortly after clicking external links
- Browser console errors or unexpected script executions on pages served by the plugin
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to plugin URLs containing suspicious characters (<, >, ", ', javascript:) in query strings
- Deploy a web application firewall rule to identify reflected XSS payload patterns targeting the imagerecycle-pdf-image-compression plugin path
- Correlate outbound requests from administrator browsers to unknown domains that could indicate exfiltration via injected scripts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable audit logging on WordPress administrator accounts to identify unauthorized configuration changes
- Monitor plugin inventory to identify sites still running vulnerable versions of imagerecycle-pdf-image-compression at or below 3.1.16
- Track failed and successful admin logins alongside recent link-click activity to identify session hijacking patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54266
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the ImageRecycle pdf & image compression plugin to a version above 3.1.16 if a patched release is available from the vendor
- If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin until a fix is published
- Invalidate active WordPress administrator sessions and rotate credentials for any account that may have followed suspicious links
- Review recent site changes and user accounts for signs of unauthorized modification
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no vendor advisory URL is listed in the CVE record. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the WordPress plugin repository for updated releases beyond 3.1.16.
Workarounds
- Deploy a web application firewall with rules that block reflected XSS payloads targeting the plugin's request parameters
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) on the WordPress site to restrict inline script execution
- Restrict administrator access to trusted networks and enforce multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of session hijacking
- Train administrators to avoid clicking untrusted links while authenticated to the WordPress admin panel
# Example CSP header to reduce reflected XSS impact
Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'; frame-ancestors 'self'
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
