CVE-2024-49234 in Plexx Elementor Extension Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/18/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in themeworm Plexx Elementor Extension plexx-elementor-extension allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Plexx Elementor Extension: from n/a through <= 1.3.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the DOM-based execution environment within the Plexx Elementor Extension for WordPress. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization during the web page generation process, where user-supplied data is not properly neutralized before being rendered in the browser context. This weakness creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the targeted WordPress environment. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the Plexx Elementor Extension up to and including version 1.3.6, indicating that the developers have not yet addressed this particular input validation flaw in their codebase.
The technical implementation of this DOM-based XSS vulnerability occurs when the extension processes user input through Elementor's page builder interface, particularly in scenarios where dynamic content is generated or manipulated within the browser's Document Object Model. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through parameters or attributes that are then executed in the victim's browser context without proper sanitization or encoding. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the browser environment and does not require server-side processing, making it more difficult to detect and mitigate through traditional server-side security measures. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input that gets processed by the extension's JavaScript functions and subsequently executed in the DOM, creating a persistent threat that can affect any user interacting with the compromised pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise the entire WordPress installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrator credentials, modify content, inject malicious advertisements, or redirect users to phishing sites. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that even if the server-side code is properly secured, the client-side execution can still be compromised, making this a particularly insidious threat. Given that Elementor extensions are widely used for website customization and content management, the potential attack surface is significant, especially in environments where multiple users have access to the page builder interface. The vulnerability also poses risks to user privacy and data integrity, as any legitimate user who visits affected pages could become a victim of the stored XSS attack.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the extension's codebase. The primary remediation involves ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized and encoded before being processed or rendered in the DOM, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. Developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, employ proper input validation routines, and utilize established XSS prevention libraries or frameworks. Additionally, regular security code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and the extension should be updated to version 1.3.7 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious website behavior remains crucial for overall security posture. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under web application attacks, particularly focusing on client-side exploitation techniques that leverage DOM manipulation vulnerabilities.