CVE-2024-56016 Overview
CVE-2024-56016 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the maartenhemmes Image Mapper WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions of image-mapper up to and including 0.2.5.3. The plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in a victim's browser. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically through a crafted link, but does not require authentication. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-79.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of a victim's browser session, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
Affected Products
- maartenhemmes Image Mapper WordPress plugin (image-mapper)
- All versions up to and including 0.2.5.3
- WordPress sites running the affected plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-18 - CVE-2024-56016 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-56016
Vulnerability Analysis
The Image Mapper plugin processes user-controlled input and reflects it into the generated HTML response without applying proper output encoding or sanitization. This produces a classic reflected XSS condition. An attacker crafts a malicious URL containing JavaScript payloads in vulnerable request parameters. When a victim clicks the link, the server reflects the payload into the HTTP response, and the browser executes it within the trusted site's origin.
Because the scope is changed (S:C in the CVSS vector), the injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, including other components of the WordPress site. Successful exploitation can lead to administrative session theft if an authenticated administrator interacts with the crafted link.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient input validation and output encoding in the Image Mapper plugin's request handlers. User-supplied data flows directly into the response body without escaping HTML-significant characters such as <, >, ", and '. This violates secure coding practice for WordPress plugin development, which requires functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() when rendering untrusted input.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts or distributes a crafted URL pointing to a WordPress site running a vulnerable Image Mapper plugin instance. The URL contains a script payload in a reflected parameter. When the victim opens the link, the malicious script executes under the site's origin. No authentication is required from the attacker. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-56016
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Image Mapper plugin endpoints containing <script>, javascript:, or HTML event handlers such as onerror= and onload= in query parameters
- URL-encoded payloads (%3Cscript%3E, %3Cimg%20src) in referer or request strings targeting /wp-content/plugins/image-mapper/ paths
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains shortly after clicking external links
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for suspicious query strings containing HTML or JavaScript syntax targeting Image Mapper endpoints
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules that flag reflected XSS patterns in inbound requests
- Correlate WordPress admin session events with anomalous referrer headers pointing to external phishing domains
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for the WordPress image-mapper plugin and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
- Monitor for new administrator account creation, role changes, or plugin installations following suspicious request activity
- Alert on Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports if CSP is enforced on the WordPress site
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-56016
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or uninstall the Image Mapper plugin until a patched release is available
- Audit WordPress administrator accounts and rotate credentials and session tokens
- Train administrators to avoid clicking unverified links pointing to the WordPress site
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the vulnerability affects all versions of Image Mapper up to and including 0.2.5.3. No fixed version is identified in the advisory. Site operators should monitor the Patchstack advisory and the WordPress plugin repository for an updated release.
Workarounds
- Remove or deactivate the image-mapper plugin from all WordPress installations
- Deploy a WAF rule blocking inbound requests containing script tags or JavaScript event handlers targeting plugin endpoints
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts to limit the impact of reflected XSS payloads
# Configuration example: deactivate the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate image-mapper
wp plugin delete image-mapper
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
