CVE-2024-0837 in Element Pack Elementor Addons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2024
The Element Pack Elementor Addons (Header Footer, Free Template Library, Grid, Carousel, Table, Parallax Animation, Register Form, Twitter Grid) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the image URL parameter in all versions up to, and including, 5.3.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0837 affects the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 5.3.2. This plugin extends Elementor's functionality with various addons including header footer templates, free template library, grid layouts, carousel components, table displays, parallax animations, registration forms, and twitter grid features. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of image URL parameters, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by authenticated users.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input when processing image URL parameters. When authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher submit malicious payloads through these parameters, the plugin fails to properly validate or escape the input before storing it in the database. This stored malicious content then executes whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected scripts, making it a classic case of stored cross-site scripting vulnerability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level access, which is often granted to trusted users who may not be fully aware of the security implications of their actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of any user's browser who visits affected pages. This could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even install malware. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected plugin versions regardless of their role level, making it a widespread concern for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. Given that contributor-level access is typically granted to users who create content, the risk is heightened as these users may not have security awareness training to prevent accidental exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0837 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense mechanism. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or processed. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting contributor access to only necessary functionality and implementing additional security layers such as content security policies to prevent script execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 related to spearphishing attachments, as the malicious scripts could be delivered through compromised contributor accounts.
Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin and ensure complete remediation. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar issues in other plugins or themes. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and proper security headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent and security controls may be insufficiently implemented.