CVE-2024-9049 in Beaver Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2024
The Beaver Builder – WordPress Page Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's Button Group module in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.3.6 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 • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9049 affects the Beaver Builder WordPress plugin, specifically targeting the Button Group module within versions up to and including 2.8.3.6. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits the plugin's inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level access or higher to execute malicious code through stored cross-site scripting attacks. The attack vector leverages user-supplied attributes within the Button Group module, which are not properly validated or escaped before being rendered on web pages. This flaw enables attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts that will execute whenever any user accesses a page containing the maliciously injected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user input within the plugin's backend processing. When users with appropriate privileges create or modify content using the Button Group module, their input is stored in the database without proper sanitization. The module fails to implement adequate output escaping mechanisms, allowing malicious scripts to persist in the system and execute in the context of other users' browsers. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the standard web application security principle where untrusted data is directly embedded into web pages without proper encoding or validation. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and output encoding. From an operational perspective, the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who have contributor-level access or higher within WordPress installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9049 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it will persist and affect all users who view affected pages, creating a sustained threat vector. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the use of malicious content in web applications, and T1078 which addresses valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems. The attack scenario typically involves an authenticated user with contributor privileges creating a malicious Button Group module with embedded JavaScript that targets other users who may view the modified pages. This allows for persistent exploitation that can be used for data exfiltration, session hijacking, or as a stepping stone for further attacks within the compromised WordPress environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9049 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.8.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as role-based access controls to limit contributor privileges, regular security audits of plugin installations, and monitoring for suspicious user activities. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins or components within their WordPress environments. Regular updates and patch management processes should be enforced across all WordPress installations, with particular attention to third-party plugins that may contain similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include verifying that all Button Group module configurations have been reviewed for malicious content and implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout the WordPress environment to prevent similar issues in other components.