CVE-2024-4374 in DethemeKit for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2024
The DethemeKit For Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's widgets in all versions up to, and including, 2.1.3 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4374 affects the DethemeKit For Elementor WordPress plugin, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting weakness that has been present in all versions up to and including 213. This flaw exists within the plugin's widget functionality and stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level access or higher privileges within the WordPress environment, making it particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate user permissions to execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker with contributor-level access or above creates or modifies content through the plugin's widgets that contain malicious script payloads. These payloads are stored within the WordPress database and subsequently executed whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content. The flaw manifests because the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user input before storing it and subsequently fails to properly escape output when rendering the stored content, creating a classic stored XSS vector. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects the plugin's handling of user-supplied attributes within its widget system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within compromised WordPress environments. An attacker could potentially inject malicious scripts that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or execute additional attacks against the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only contributor-level access, which is often more easily obtained than higher administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress sites that grant broad contributor permissions. This weakness can be leveraged to compromise multiple users who access affected pages, potentially leading to widespread session hijacking or data exfiltration across the compromised site.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-4374 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most direct and effective solution. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads, though these should not be considered a substitute for proper patching. Access control measures should be reviewed to ensure that only trusted users have contributor-level permissions, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential privilege escalation vectors. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase would align with security best practices and prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for privilege escalation through credential access, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on WordPress content management systems.