CVE-2024-53766 in Addons for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/01/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Devnex Devnex Addons For Elementor allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Devnex Addons For Elementor: from n/a through 1.0.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The CVE-2024-53766 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Devnex Addons For Elementor plugin, specifically manifesting as a DOM-based XSS vulnerability that undermines web application security. This vulnerability exists in versions ranging from an unspecified initial release through version 1.0.8, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors targeting WordPress environments that utilize this Elementor addon. The flaw occurs during the web page generation process when input data is improperly neutralized, allowing malicious scripts to be injected into the document object model. This particular variant of XSS operates at the DOM level rather than traditional server-side input validation, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate as the malicious code executes within the browser context rather than being stored on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently processed and rendered within the browser's DOM structure. When a user interacts with a compromised page or is redirected to a malicious URL containing crafted input, the DOM-based XSS attack can execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. This allows attackers to manipulate the page's behavior, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the client-side environment, bypassing traditional server-side input validation mechanisms that security teams might have implemented. The attack vector typically involves manipulating URL parameters or other client-side input sources that the plugin processes without adequate sanitization, creating an execution environment where malicious JavaScript code can run with the privileges of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling full session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within affected WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to admin panels, modify website content, install malware, or steal sensitive user information including login credentials and personal data. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that the attack can be delivered through various vectors including phishing emails, malicious advertisements, or compromised website links without requiring server-side exploitation. This creates a persistent threat that can affect multiple users simultaneously and can be particularly devastating in environments where administrators have elevated privileges or where the plugin is used to manage sensitive website functionality. The vulnerability's presence in the Elementor ecosystem amplifies its impact as Elementor is widely used for website building, making numerous websites potentially vulnerable to this type of attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-53766 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Security teams should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in custom code or other plugins within the WordPress ecosystem. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Regular security auditing of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to DOM manipulation functions and input handling processes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious input patterns associated with XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a specific implementation of the broader ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how DOM-based vulnerabilities can be exploited to execute malicious code within user browsers.