CVE-2024-1392 in Elementor Addon Elements Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The Elementor Addon Elements plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'button1_icon' attribute of the Dual Button widget in all versions up to, and including, 1.12.12 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level 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 • 04/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1392 affects the Elementor Addon Elements plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting the Dual Button widget functionality. This security flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.12.12, creating a significant risk for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system through a stored cross-site scripting vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the 'button1_icon' attribute of the Dual Button widget, which fails to properly sanitize user input before storing it in the database. When an authenticated attacker with contributor-level privileges or higher manipulates this attribute, they can inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored persistently within the WordPress database. This stored payload remains dormant until a victim accesses a page containing the compromised widget, at which point the injected script executes in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability represents a classic stored XSS flaw that operates outside the typical scope of WordPress's built-in security measures, as it bypasses standard sanitization routines that would normally protect against such attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1392 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within affected WordPress environments. Once a malicious script is injected, attackers can leverage this capability to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, data exfiltration, and even privilege escalation within the WordPress administration interface. The vulnerability's accessibility through contributor-level access means that it can be exploited by users who have relatively low privileges within a WordPress site, making it particularly dangerous for sites that do not properly enforce role-based access controls. This makes the vulnerability especially concerning for multi-user environments where contributors might have access to widget editing capabilities without appropriate security considerations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1566.002 (Phishing: Spearphishing Link) as attackers can use this vector to deliver malicious payloads that compromise user sessions. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly focusing on the prevention of XSS attacks through proper sanitization of user-supplied data. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version, implementing proper input validation, and monitoring for suspicious activity related to widget modifications. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security audits of third-party plugins and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions to protect against known security flaws that can be exploited by threat actors with minimal privileges.