CVE-2024-1533 in Shortcodes and Extra Features for Phlox Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the HTML Element in all versions up to, and including, 2.15.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor access or higher, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. Requires Elementor and the Phlox theme to be installed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1533 affects the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting weakness that can be exploited by authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of HTML Element inputs, where insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly validate or encode user-supplied data before it is stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts all versions up to and including 2.15.5 of the plugin, making it a widespread concern for WordPress installations that rely on this particular theme and its associated functionality. The attack vector requires the presence of both Elementor and the Phlox theme within the WordPress environment, indicating that exploitation is context-dependent and requires specific plugin configurations to be present.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs when processing HTML elements within the WordPress admin interface. When contributors or higher-privileged users create or modify content using the plugin's HTML Element functionality, malicious scripts can be injected into the input fields without proper validation. These scripts are then stored in the WordPress database and executed whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content, regardless of their privilege level. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, creating a continuous threat vector that can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing with Social Engineering, as the malicious scripts could potentially be used to harvest user credentials or redirect victims to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within WordPress environments where the Phlox theme and Elementor are installed. An attacker with contributor access can craft malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or the delivery of additional malicious payloads. The requirement for Elementor and the Phlox theme to be installed creates a specific attack surface that security professionals must monitor, as it limits the scope of potential exploitation but makes the vulnerability more targeted and potentially more dangerous within affected environments. This vulnerability undermines the security model of WordPress by allowing users with relatively low privileges to introduce code execution capabilities that could compromise the entire site or user base.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1533 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the problem. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures and ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being stored in the database. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing role-based access controls that limit contributor privileges to prevent unauthorized script injection, while also monitoring for unusual activity in the WordPress admin interface. The remediation process should include thorough auditing of existing content to identify any previously injected malicious scripts, and security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential XSS weaknesses in the broader WordPress ecosystem, particularly focusing on plugins that handle user-generated content or HTML rendering functionality, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling flaws can create significant security risks within content management systems.