CVE-2023-47178 in Plus Addons for Elementor Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in POSIMYTH Innovation The Plus Addons for Elementor Pro allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects The Plus Addons for Elementor Pro: from n/a through 5.2.8.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2024
The CVE-2023-47178 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within the POSIMYTH Innovation The Plus Addons for Elementor Pro plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 5.2.8. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file paths and access restricted directories on the affected system, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations utilizing this plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper validation of user-supplied input within the plugin's file handling mechanisms. When the plugin processes requests involving file operations, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate the pathname parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can bypass intended access controls. This weakness specifically manifests in the PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) component, where attackers can leverage the vulnerable path traversal logic to include and execute arbitrary local files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a widely used WordPress plugin ecosystem, amplifying its potential impact across numerous websites and web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, execute arbitrary code, and potentially gain full control over the affected WordPress installation. Attackers can exploit this flaw to read sensitive files such as configuration databases, user credentials, or other system files that should remain protected. The vulnerability also enables potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and the possibility of establishing persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. Given that Elementor Pro is a popular page builder plugin, the attack surface is extensive, affecting numerous WordPress sites that may not be actively monitored for such vulnerabilities, making this issue particularly dangerous in production environments.
Organizations and system administrators should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including upgrading to the latest version of The Plus Addons for Elementor Pro where the issue has been resolved. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may leverage the LFI capability to execute malicious commands on the affected system. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation, restricting file upload capabilities, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Security configurations should enforce strict path validation and implement web application firewalls that can detect and block path traversal attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes within the WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and access control mechanisms in preventing unauthorized file access and system compromise.