CVE-2024-33649 in Opal Widgets for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WpOpal Opal Widgets For Elementor allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Opal Widgets For Elementor: from n/a through 1.6.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The CVE-2024-33649 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WpOpal Opal Widgets For Elementor plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.6.9. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution. The vulnerability's classification as stored XSS indicates that malicious scripts can be permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed by other users, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where multiple users interact with shared data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when unfiltered user input is directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. In the context of Elementor-based websites, this flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields that are subsequently rendered in the generated web pages. When legitimate users access these pages, their browsers execute the malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection, making it difficult to detect and remove through routine maintenance.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-33649 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire user sessions and potentially gain administrative privileges within the affected WordPress environment. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized code execution on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where the Elementor plugin is widely used, as it affects numerous websites that may be running vulnerable versions of the plugin. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for initial access through web application attacks, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in web applications to establish persistent access to target systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the Opal Widgets For Elementor plugin, which presumably contains the necessary patches. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify other potential vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates how even seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks in web applications. The issue also underscores the necessity of implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify and remediate such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.