CVE-2024-51586 in Elementary Addons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in BRAFT Elementary Addons allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Elementary Addons: from n/a through 2.0.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue exists within the BRAFT Elementary Addons plugin, specifically in how it processes and renders user input during web page generation. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack, meaning that malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users. This particular weakness allows attackers to manipulate the content generation process in a way that fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before rendering it within web pages.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Elementary Addons plugin. When users submit content through forms or other interactive elements within the plugin interface, the system does not adequately neutralize potentially dangerous characters or script tags that could be embedded in the input data. This failure to properly sanitize user input creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 2.0.4, indicating that this security gap has persisted across multiple releases without proper remediation.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can leverage this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even install malware on affected systems. Since the vulnerability allows for stored execution, the malicious scripts remain persistent and can affect any user who accesses the compromised pages. This creates a significant risk for websites using the Elementary Addons plugin, as compromised user sessions could lead to complete account takeovers, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within affected networks. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can remain active for extended periods without detection.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the BRAFT Elementary Addons plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also deploy comprehensive input validation mechanisms, implement proper output encoding for all user-generated content, and establish robust content security policies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious content. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security audits of plugin components, and establishing proper input sanitization protocols that ensure all user data is properly escaped before being rendered in web contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security features such as Content Security Policy headers to further mitigate the impact of potential XSS attacks.