CVE-2024-53774 in Sparkle Elementor Kit Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/01/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Sparkle WP Sparkle Elementor Kit allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Sparkle Elementor Kit: from n/a through 2.0.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-53774 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Sparkle WP Sparkle Elementor Kit plugin, specifically manifesting as a DOM-based XSS flaw that undermines web application security. This vulnerability resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by other users. The affected plugin version range spans from an unspecified initial version through 2.0.9, indicating a prolonged period during which this security gap remained unaddressed. The DOM-based nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is executed within the victim's browser context, leveraging the Document Object Model to manipulate web page content dynamically. This particular weakness enables attackers to execute malicious code in the context of the affected website, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently incorporated into dynamically generated web page content without proper security measures. When the Elementor Kit processes user interactions or parameters within its web page generation framework, it fails to adequately neutralize potentially malicious input that could contain script tags or other harmful code sequences. This improper handling creates a persistent vulnerability where attacker-controlled data flows directly into the browser's execution environment. The vulnerability operates within the context of web application security frameworks and demonstrates a failure in input validation mechanisms that should prevent such dangerous code injection patterns. The issue specifically affects the plugin's handling of parameters that are processed through the DOM, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through traditional server-side input validation approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise user sessions and data integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users, potentially leading to full account takeovers. The DOM-based nature of the attack means that the malicious code executes within the legitimate user's browser context, making it particularly difficult to distinguish from legitimate application behavior. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious links, compromised advertisements, or social engineering campaigns that direct users to specifically crafted web page URLs containing the malicious payload. The impact is particularly severe in environments where users have elevated privileges or where the plugin is used in conjunction with other security-sensitive applications, as the attack could potentially escalate to broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-53774 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the identified XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most direct and effective remediation approach. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom web applications, aligning with established security practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CWE-79 categories. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the affected web pages. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses across all web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious parameter patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1059.002 for command and script injection highlights the need for comprehensive security measures that address both the immediate threat and prevent similar weaknesses from emerging in future development cycles.