CVE-2024-37541 in Elementor Addons, Widgets and Enhancements Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in StaxWP Elementor Addons, Widgets and Enhancements – Stax stax-addons-for-elementor allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Elementor Addons, Widgets and Enhancements – Stax: from n/a through <= 1.5.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the StaxWP Elementor Addons plugin, specifically in the DOM-based XSS implementation that occurs during web page generation. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk for websites utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability specifically affects versions from the initial release through version 1.5.0, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been properly addressed in the plugin's codebase. The improper neutralization of input during web page generation represents a critical weakness in the plugin's sanitization mechanisms, where user-supplied data is not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in the browser context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages DOM-based XSS techniques, which means that malicious scripts are executed as a result of manipulating the DOM structure rather than through traditional server-side input handling. This approach is particularly dangerous because it can bypass many standard security measures that focus on server-side input validation, as the attack vector operates entirely within the client-side browser environment. The vulnerability typically manifests when the plugin processes user input through URL parameters or other client-side data sources without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This form of XSS is often more difficult to detect and prevent because it doesn't rely on server-side injection points but rather exploits the way web applications manipulate the document object model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. Website administrators who use the Stax plugin may unknowingly expose their users to these risks, potentially compromising sensitive information and undermining the trust relationship between the website and its visitors. The vulnerability affects any website utilizing Elementor with the Stax addons plugin, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of both Elementor and this specific plugin within the WordPress ecosystem. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that, when visited by authenticated users with appropriate privileges, execute the injected code in their browser context.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the problem. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations to identify outdated plugins that may contain known vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such vulnerabilities in their web applications.