CVE-2024-54312 Overview
CVE-2024-54312 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PersianScript Persian Woocommerce SMS plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation [CWE-79]. Affected versions include all releases from initial through 7.0.5. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser when clicked. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed within the victim's WordPress session.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in victim browsers by tricking authenticated users into clicking crafted links, enabling account takeover and content manipulation on WooCommerce stores.
Affected Products
- PersianScript Persian Woocommerce SMS plugin versions through 7.0.5
- WordPress installations running the persian-woocommerce-sms plugin
- WooCommerce stores using this SMS integration plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-13 - CVE-2024-54312 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54312
Vulnerability Analysis
The Persian Woocommerce SMS plugin fails to sanitize and encode user-controlled input before reflecting it back in HTTP responses. An attacker injects JavaScript payloads into request parameters processed by the plugin. The server returns these payloads inside the rendered HTML without proper output encoding. The victim's browser then executes the attacker-controlled script in the context of the WordPress site.
Reflected XSS requires user interaction. The attacker must lure a logged-in administrator or customer to click a crafted link. Once executed, the script runs with the privileges of the authenticated user. This can include creating new admin accounts, exfiltrating session cookies, or modifying store content.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input sanitization and output encoding in plugin code paths that handle request parameters. The plugin echoes attacker-controlled data into HTML contexts without applying functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). WordPress provides these sanitization APIs, but they are not consistently applied across the plugin codebase.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network with no privileges required. The attacker crafts a URL containing a malicious payload in a vulnerable parameter. Social engineering delivers the link via email, chat, or a malicious website. When the target clicks the link, the payload reflects into the response and executes. Because the scope changes (S:C), the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to the user's session and any data accessible within the WordPress admin or storefront context.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Patchstack Security Advisory. No public proof-of-concept code has been verified at this time.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54312
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or onload= substrings in query parameters
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains shortly after clicking external links
- Newly created WordPress administrator accounts without corresponding audit log justification
- Modifications to plugin or theme files following an administrator session
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to persian-woocommerce-sms paths containing encoded or raw HTML/JavaScript syntax in parameters
- Deploy a web application firewall with rules that flag reflected XSS patterns in request parameters
- Monitor browser console errors and Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports from administrator sessions
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to track administrator account changes, plugin installations, and option modifications
- Centralize WordPress and web server logs into a SIEM for correlation across multiple sites
- Alert on requests where reflected query parameters contain script tags or event handler attributes
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54312
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Persian Woocommerce SMS plugin to a version newer than 7.0.5 if available, or deactivate the plugin until a patch is released
- Force password resets for all WordPress administrator and shop manager accounts as a precaution
- Review recent administrator activity logs for signs of unauthorized account creation or content changes
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects Persian Woocommerce SMS versions through 7.0.5. Administrators should monitor the Patchstack Security Advisory and the official plugin repository for a fixed release. Apply the update across all WordPress installations using this plugin.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the persian-woocommerce-sms plugin until an updated version is installed
- Deploy a web application firewall rule blocking requests containing script tags or JavaScript event handlers in query strings
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins
- Train administrators to avoid clicking unsolicited links and to access the WordPress admin panel only from trusted bookmarks
# Example WAF rule pattern (ModSecurity) to block reflected XSS attempts
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(<script|javascript:|onerror=|onload=)" \
"id:1054312,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Potential XSS targeting persian-woocommerce-sms (CVE-2024-54312)'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
