The Electric Studio Download Counter plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin settings in all versions up to, and including, 2.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.4, indicating a medium severity level. Given its potential impact, organizations using this plugin should take immediate action to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive user data and the ability to alter the appearance or functionality of the affected web pages. The ability for attackers to inject scripts could also lead to further exploits, including data theft or site defacement, making this vulnerability critical to address. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there are no known public exploits or proof of concept code available for this vulnerability, and it has not yet been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the potential for exploitation remains, especially in environments where the plugin is widely used.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent possible exploitation and ensure the security of their WordPress installations.
Vulnerability Details
The Electric Studio Download Counter plugin for WordPress is vulnerable due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.4, as identified by CWE-79. The vulnerability was published on January 14, 2026, with a last modified date of April 15, 2026.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms in the plugin settings. The attack vector is through the network, and the complexity of the attack is rated as high, requiring that an attacker has Administrator-level access to exploit this vulnerability. User interaction is not required for the attack to be successful.
The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both rated as low, meaning that while data may not be directly stolen, attackers could manipulate the web pages viewed by users. Availability impact is none, indicating that the vulnerability does not cause service disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to user data and the ability for attackers to perform further actions through the injected scripts. The blast radius of this vulnerability can be significant, especially in multi-user environments where numerous users can be affected by a single exploited instance. Given the medium severity of the CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of the Electric Studio Download Counter plugin prior to vendor patch 2.4 are affected. Organizations must ensure they update to the latest version to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should update the Electric Studio Download Counter plugin to the latest version. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing input validation and output escaping measures. Additionally, conducting a thorough security review of the plugin settings and user permissions is crucial. For comprehensive security assessments, organizations may consider leveraging continuous penetration testing to identify further weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual script executions and analyze user behavior for any anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. Network signatures associated with unauthorized access attempts should also be established. Regularly reviewing system changes can help detect any unauthorized modifications resulting from this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The Electric Studio Download Counter vulnerability highlights the ongoing risks associated with third-party plugins in WordPress. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to conduct regular security assessments of their plugin usage. Investing in a robust vulnerability management program can help organizations identify and address such vulnerabilities proactively. Furthermore, teams should maintain awareness of penetration testing methodologies to refine their security posture continuously. Ultimately, organizations must remain vigilant and prioritize their application security strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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