CVE-2024-2799 in Royal Elementor Addons and Templates Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/23/2024
The Royal Elementor Addons and Templates plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Image Grid & Advanced Text widget HTML tags in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.96 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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 • 04/04/2025
The Royal Elementor Addons and Templates plugin for WordPress represents a widely used tool that extends the functionality of the Elementor page builder, enabling users to create sophisticated layouts and widgets. This particular vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.3.96, making it a significant concern for WordPress sites that rely on this plugin for their frontend content management. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically impacting the Image Grid and Advanced Text widgets that allow users to incorporate HTML content.
The technical flaw manifests as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied attributes containing HTML tags are not properly sanitized before being stored in the database. When authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher manipulate these widgets, they can inject malicious scripts that persist in the system. These scripts become stored within the WordPress database and execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content, regardless of their permission level. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by users with relatively low privileges. Contributors in WordPress typically have the ability to create and edit posts, pages, and media, but they should not be able to execute arbitrary code on the site. However, this vulnerability allows them to bypass such security restrictions, potentially leading to account takeovers, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the compromised site. The stored nature of the XSS means that the malicious scripts will execute automatically whenever users access affected pages, making it difficult to contain the damage once the vulnerability has been exploited.
This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing via Social Engineering, as attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate within the context of the WordPress editor. The exploitation process involves creating malicious content within the Image Grid or Advanced Text widgets, which are then stored in the database and executed when other users view the pages. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict input validation for user-generated content, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious activity within contributor accounts and implementing content security policies can help reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where users with varying permission levels can contribute content.