WordPress Responsive Theme Flaw Let Attackers Inject Malicious HTML Scripts

A vulnerability was identified in the WordPress theme, “Responsive,” allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML content into websites.

This flaw, as CVE-2024-2848, poses a severe risk to website integrity and user safety.

CVE-2024-2848 – Arbitrary HTML Content Injection

The vulnerability was specifically found in the footer section of the Responsive theme, where attackers could modify the footer text unauthorized without needing authentication, as reported by Seclist.

This security loophole was due to a missing capability check in the save_footer_text_callback function, part of the theme’s core functionalities.

Is Your Network Under Attack? - Read CISO’s Guide to Avoiding the Next Breach - Download Free Guide

• Impact: Injection of arbitrary HTML content, potentially leading to redirection to malicious websites or displaying spammy content.
• Versions Affected: All versions up to and including 5.0.2
• Fixed in Version: 5.0.3

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to several adverse effects, including:

• Redirection to Malicious Sites: Users visiting compromised websites can be redirected to malicious sites, leading to further malware infection.
• Display of Unwanted Content: Spam advertisements or offensive content could be displayed, harming the website’s reputation.
• Loss of User Trust: Frequent visitors might lose trust in the website due to unexpected behaviors and potentially harmful outcomes.

Mitigation and Fixes

The developers of the Responsive theme have addressed this vulnerability in the latest update.

Website administrators are urged to update to version 5.0.3 or later, where the issue has been resolved.

The update includes:

• Fix for Unauthorized Modification: The update patches the vulnerability that allowed the injection of HTML.
• Enhanced Security Measures: Version 5.0.3.1 includes strengthened security measures to protect against similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Recommendations for Website Owners

• Update Immediately: If using the Responsive theme, update to the latest version immediately.
• Review Site Content: Check the footer-copyright option in your WordPress database for any unauthorized changes.
• Regular Monitoring: Keep an eye on your website’s performance and appearance to spot any unusual changes quickly.

The discovery of CVE-2024-2848 reminds us of the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems and the continuous vigilance required in the digital space to protect against cyber threats.

Users and administrators must proactively ensure their websites are secure against such vulnerabilities.

Free Webinar: Mastering Web Application and API Protection/WAF ROI Analysis -  Book Your Spot