CVE-2024-5253 in Ultimate Addons for WPBakery Page Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2024
The Ultimate Addons for WPBakery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's ult_team shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 3.19.20 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 • 03/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5253 affects the Ultimate Addons for WPBakery plugin, a popular WordPress plugin that extends the functionality of the WPBakery Page Builder. This particular flaw exists within the ult_team shortcode implementation and represents a classic stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by authenticated attackers possessing contributor-level privileges or higher. The vulnerability impacts all versions of the plugin up to and including version 3.19.20, making it a significant concern for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing logic. When administrators or contributors create or modify content using the ult_team shortcode, the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied attributes before storing them in the database. Additionally, the output escaping mechanisms are insufficient to prevent malicious scripts from being executed when the affected shortcode is rendered on web pages. This combination of insufficient validation and escaping creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious code can be stored and executed whenever any user accesses a page containing the compromised shortcode.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given the privilege level required for exploitation. Contributors in WordPress typically have the ability to create and edit posts, pages, and media files, which means that an attacker with these credentials could potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation. When a victim user accesses a page containing the maliciously injected script, the payload executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists in the database and can affect multiple users over time, unlike reflected XSS attacks that require specific user interaction.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving code injection within web applications, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistent threats within the WordPress environment. Organizations using the affected plugin should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and conducting security reviews of existing content that may contain malicious scripts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The broader implications extend beyond immediate exploitation as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security practices in plugin development, particularly around input validation and output escaping. WordPress plugin developers should adopt secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in their software, including implementing comprehensive sanitization routines and following security guidelines established by organizations such as the WordPress Security Team and the OWASP project. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress installations can help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.