CVE-2024-8902 in Elementor Addon Elements Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2024
The Elementor Addon Elements plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.13.8 via the render_column function in modules/data-table/widgets/data-table.php. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to extract sensitive private, pending, and draft template data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8902 affects the Elementor Addon Elements plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.13.8. This security flaw resides within the render_column function located in the modules/data-table/widgets/data-table.php file, creating a significant exposure risk for sensitive template data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated attackers who possess Contributor-level access or higher to access private, pending, and draft template information that should remain confidential within the WordPress ecosystem.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate access controls and insufficient input validation within the data table rendering functionality. When the render_column function processes template data, it fails to properly verify user permissions before exposing sensitive information. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks, which aligns with CWE-285, or improper authorization, and falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application level where the plugin fails to enforce proper access restrictions, allowing users with relatively low privileges to bypass normal security boundaries that should protect unpublished content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the content management security model within WordPress installations. Contributors and higher-level users typically have limited capabilities within the CMS, yet this flaw enables them to extract unpublished templates that may contain confidential business information, proprietary designs, or strategic content planning details. This exposure creates potential risks for organizations relying on WordPress for their digital presence, particularly those in competitive industries where premature disclosure of design work or content planning could provide adversaries with strategic advantages. The vulnerability essentially breaks the content isolation principle that WordPress implements to protect unpublished content from unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, while also implementing additional security measures. Organizations should ensure that the Elementor Addon Elements plugin is updated to the latest stable version that resolves this specific issue, which typically involves patching the render_column function to properly validate user permissions before exposing template data. Network segmentation and role-based access control measures can provide additional defense layers, though the primary fix must address the root cause within the plugin code. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to draft and unpublished content, as this vulnerability represents a potential vector for insider threats or compromised accounts. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits of third-party plugins, particularly those with elevated permissions or data handling capabilities, as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1588.002 for obtaining capabilities through third-party software. The incident underscores the critical need for developers to implement robust access control mechanisms and proper input validation in WordPress plugins to prevent unauthorized data exposure, especially when handling sensitive content types that should remain protected until publication.