CVE-2024-0512 in Royal Elementor Addons and Templates Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/29/2024
The Royal Elementor Addons and Templates plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.87. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the add_to_wishlist function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to add items to user wishlists via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The Royal Elementor Addons and Templates plugin for WordPress represents a widely used extension that enhances website functionality through various frontend and backend features. This particular vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.3.87, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators who rely on this plugin for their site operations. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental security flaw in how the plugin handles user requests, specifically within the add_to_wishlist function that processes wishlist additions. The absence of proper nonce validation creates a critical weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication credentials or administrative privileges. This particular issue aligns with CWE-352, which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities as a critical security concern affecting web applications. The vulnerability operates under the principle that an attacker can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system, exploiting the trust relationship between the web application and its users.
The technical flaw manifests through the deliberate omission of nonce validation within the add_to_wishlist function, which serves as a cryptographic token to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources within the WordPress environment. Without proper nonce verification, any attacker can construct a forged request that includes parameters to add items to a user's wishlist, effectively bypassing the normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects the plugin's ability to maintain user data integrity and privacy, as it allows unauthorized modifications to user wishlists. The exploitation requires social engineering techniques to trick administrators into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised web pages, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages human factors alongside technical weaknesses. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP requests that can be generated using various tools or crafted manually, and the lack of proper validation means these requests will be processed as legitimate by the WordPress system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple wishlist manipulation, potentially compromising user privacy and data integrity within WordPress installations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to add malicious products to user wishlists, potentially redirecting users to phishing sites or malicious content when they attempt to access their saved items. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to gather information about user preferences and browsing behavior, which could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks or targeted social engineering campaigns. Furthermore, the issue affects the overall security posture of WordPress sites using this plugin, as it demonstrates a lack of proper security controls within the plugin's codebase. This vulnerability can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where administrators may be targeted through spear-phishing attacks, and the compromised wishlists may contain sensitive information that could be exploited for additional attacks. The impact is amplified when considering that many WordPress sites do not regularly update their plugins, leaving them vulnerable to such exploitation for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that include proper nonce validation and CSRF protection mechanisms. Administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of their WordPress installations to detect any unauthorized modifications to user wishlists or other plugin functionalities. The implementation of additional security layers such as web application firewalls and security headers can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress environments should include assessment of plugin security configurations and validation of nonce implementation across all user-facing functions. Organizations should also establish robust patch management procedures to ensure that security updates are deployed promptly across all WordPress installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as implementing proper input validation, using secure coding standards, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help administrators recognize potential social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, as the successful exploitation requires human interaction through clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites.