CVE-2024-34563 in Gold Addons for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in GoldAddons Gold Addons for Elementor allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Gold Addons for Elementor: from n/a through 1.2.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-34563 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the GoldAddons Gold Addons for Elementor plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.2.9. This flaw resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability manifests as a stored XSS attack vector, meaning that malicious payloads can be permanently stored on the target server and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When users submit content through the Elementor interface that incorporates Gold Addons functionality, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through various input fields, form submissions, or content management interfaces that the plugin utilizes. The CWE-79 classification applies directly to this vulnerability, as it represents a classic cross-site scripting scenario where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into dynamically generated web pages without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited for various malicious activities. Attackers can leverage this stored XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even harvest sensitive user data from the affected WordPress environment. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code remains persistent on the server, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious inputs and T1584.003 for establishing persistence through web shell deployment.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the latest available version of Gold Addons for Elementor where the stored XSS vulnerability has been patched and input sanitization mechanisms have been strengthened. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the use of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, regular security scanning of the affected plugin, and monitoring for suspicious user activity or unauthorized content modifications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential XSS payloads, while maintaining detailed audit logs to track any exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent and security controls must be robust enough to prevent persistent threats.