CVE-2024-30177 in Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Exclusive Addons Exclusive Addons Elementor allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Exclusive Addons Elementor: from n/a through 2.6.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Exclusive Addons Elementor plugin, specifically impacting versions through 2.6.8. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category for Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security concern that has been consistently documented in industry security frameworks. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently saved on the server and executed whenever affected pages are loaded, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where user-generated content is common.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly neutralize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious payloads through plugin interfaces or configuration settings that are then stored in the database. When other users access pages containing this stored malicious content, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation within the affected system.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for websites utilizing the Exclusive Addons Elementor plugin, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain administrative access to the entire website. Organizations using this plugin face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and potential use as a launching point for broader attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate website but also any users who interact with the compromised pages, making it a widespread security concern that requires immediate attention. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and prioritize remediation efforts alongside other critical security issues.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version 2.6.9 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to limit script execution, conducting regular security audits of plugin installations, and monitoring for suspicious activity in web application logs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566 for Phishing and T1071 for Application Layer Protocol, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that address both the specific vulnerability and broader attack surface considerations.