CVE-2024-2138 in JetWidgets for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The JetWidgets For Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Animated Box widget in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.15 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 JetWidgets For Elementor plugin presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects WordPress environments through its Animated Box widget functionality. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.15, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever affected pages are accessed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS variant where malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server rather than being reflected in a single request. Attackers with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this weakness to inject arbitrary web scripts into the plugin's widget functionality, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view pages containing the malicious content. This represents a serious privilege escalation concern as it allows attackers to leverage existing user permissions to execute code on behalf of other site visitors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious domains. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious scripts will persist until manually removed, potentially affecting all users who access the compromised pages. This vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress sites that rely heavily on Elementor page builder functionality, where the Animated Box widget is commonly used for creating dynamic content elements.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1546.001 (Event Triggered Execution: Change in File Creation/Modification) and T1566.001 (Credential Access: Phishing for Credentials) as attackers can leverage the persistent nature of stored XSS to maintain access and harvest credentials. The exploitation requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have relatively low-level permissions. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as the injected scripts can be used to establish persistent access or deploy additional malware.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the JetWidgets For Elementor plugin to version 1.0.16 or later, which addresses the input sanitization and output escaping issues. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting user permissions, monitoring for unauthorized content modifications, and implementing content security policies to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and organizations should maintain updated security monitoring systems to detect anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.