CVE-2024-54343 Overview
CVE-2024-54343 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Connect Contact Form 7 to Constant Contact WordPress plugin developed by thehowarde. The flaw affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 1.4. It stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, mapped to [CWE-79]. An attacker can craft a malicious URL containing JavaScript payloads that execute in a victim's browser when the victim clicks the link. Successful exploitation can lead to session theft, credential harvesting, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of the targeted user.
Critical Impact
Reflected XSS in this WordPress plugin enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser session, potentially compromising authenticated WordPress administrators and exposing site data.
Affected Products
- Connect Contact Form 7 to Constant Contact plugin (slug: connect-contact-form-7-to-constant-contact-v3)
- All versions from initial release through 1.4
- WordPress sites with the affected plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-13 - CVE-2024-54343 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54343
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a reflected XSS issue affecting the Connect Contact Form 7 to Constant Contact WordPress plugin through version 1.4. Reflected XSS occurs when an application accepts input from an HTTP request and returns it in the response without proper output encoding or input sanitization. The attack requires user interaction, typically clicking a crafted link, and executes JavaScript within the victim's browser scope of the vulnerable WordPress site.
Because the scope is changed (S:C in the CVSS vector), the injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, including administrative interfaces if the victim holds elevated privileges. The current EPSS probability is 0.231% (45.97 percentile), indicating a low but non-trivial likelihood of exploitation attempts within the next 30 days.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The plugin reflects user-controlled request parameters into HTML output without applying context-appropriate escaping such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). This allows attacker-controlled markup and script content to be rendered as executable HTML in the browser.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint and convince a victim to visit it through phishing or social engineering. When the victim loads the URL, the unsanitized parameter is echoed back into the response, and the injected JavaScript runs under the origin of the WordPress site. An attacker can steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user, modify page content, or redirect the victim to attacker-controlled infrastructure. For full technical details, refer to the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54343
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP GET or POST requests to plugin endpoints containing URL-encoded <script> tags, javascript: URIs, or HTML event handlers such as onerror= and onload=
- WordPress access logs showing requests with unusually long query strings or encoded payloads targeting plugin parameters
- Unexpected outbound browser connections from administrator sessions to unfamiliar domains shortly after clicking links
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for query parameters that contain reflected JavaScript or HTML entities targeting the connect-contact-form-7-to-constant-contact-v3 plugin paths
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with OWASP Core Rule Set signatures for reflected XSS pattern matching
- Use browser-side Content Security Policy (CSP) reports to identify attempted inline script execution on plugin-rendered pages
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized SIEM and alert on XSS pattern matches against plugin endpoints
- Monitor administrator account activity for anomalous session creation, plugin installations, or user role changes that may follow successful XSS exploitation
- Track installed plugin versions across WordPress estates and alert when versions at or below 1.4 are detected
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54343
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations running the Connect Contact Form 7 to Constant Contact plugin at version 1.4 or earlier
- Deactivate and remove the plugin from affected sites until a patched version is verified as available
- Invalidate administrator sessions and rotate WordPress credentials for any site where exploitation is suspected
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, no fixed version is listed in the advisory. Refer to the Patchstack advisory and the plugin's WordPress repository page for updated patch availability. Apply any vendor-released update that addresses CVE-2024-54343 as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable the vulnerable plugin if a patched version is not yet available
- Deploy a WAF rule to block requests containing common XSS payloads directed at the plugin's URL paths
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and untrusted script sources to reduce exploitability
- Train WordPress administrators to avoid clicking unverified links and to use dedicated browsers or accounts for administrative tasks
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
