CVE-2024-38768 in The Pack Elementor Addons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Webangon The Pack Elementor addons allows PHP Local File Inclusion, Path Traversal.This issue affects The Pack Elementor addons: from n/a through 2.0.8.6.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The CVE-2024-38768 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the Webangon The Pack Elementor addons plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through 2.0.8.6. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper limitation of pathname to restricted directory issues, which are classified as CWE-22 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially access sensitive files on the server through crafted input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the plugin's file handling mechanisms. When the plugin processes requests containing file paths, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can bypass intended file access restrictions. This weakness directly enables PHP local file inclusion attacks where attackers can manipulate the application's file inclusion mechanisms to execute arbitrary code or retrieve sensitive files from the server filesystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to the underlying file system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user data, and other critical system information. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct manipulation of URL parameters, form inputs, or API endpoints that handle file operations within the Elementor addon environment. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to the affected web server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to the latest available version of The Pack Elementor addons plugin, as vendors typically release security updates to address such path traversal issues. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, including the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths, can prevent attackers from manipulating file inclusion parameters. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit potential damage, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns and directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP and T1566.001 for malicious file inclusion, making it a significant concern for organizations running Elementor-based websites that have not yet applied the necessary security patches.