CVE-2024-33933 in Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Brainstorm Force, Nikhil Chavan Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template: from n/a through 1.6.35.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks Template plugin developed by Brainstorm Force and Nikhil Chavan. The issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a dom-based cross-site scripting attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 1.6.35, indicating a prolonged exposure window that could have allowed extensive exploitation. The dom-based nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is injected into the document object model rather than being reflected in HTTP responses, making it particularly insidious as it can persist through user interactions and page reloads.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's template generation system. When users interact with the header, footer, or block templates that utilize this plugin, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript payloads through crafted input parameters that are then executed in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically impacts the DOM manipulation processes that handle template rendering, where user-provided values are directly incorporated into javascript execution contexts without proper security controls. This weakness falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, with the dom-based variant being particularly dangerous due to its persistence and potential for sophisticated attack chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users. The dom-based nature allows for persistent attacks that can survive page refreshes and browser sessions, potentially enabling long-term surveillance or unauthorized access to administrative functions. Organizations using affected versions of the plugin face significant risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, manipulate content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The widespread adoption of Elementor plugins in the wordpress ecosystem amplifies the potential impact, as this vulnerability could affect numerous websites that rely on the header, footer, and blocks template functionality for their site structure and user experience.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to version 1.6.36 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of their wordpress installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor for suspicious activity in user sessions or template modifications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including client-side and server-side sanitization, with all user-provided data being properly escaped before any integration into dynamic content generation processes. Organizations should also implement regular security scanning of their wordpress installations and plugin ecosystems to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection and user education to prevent exploitation through social engineering vectors that could leverage this technical weakness.