CVE-2024-9657 in Element Pack Elementor Addons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2024
The Element Pack Elementor Addons (Header Footer, Template Library, Dynamic Grid & Carousel, Remote Arrows) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘tooltip' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 5.10.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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 • 03/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9657 affects the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 5.10.2. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the integrity of web applications built on the WordPress platform. The issue manifests through the 'tooltip' parameter within the plugin's functionality, which encompasses various components including Header Footer, Template Library, Dynamic Grid & Carousel, and Remote Arrows modules. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, particularly those involving stored XSS attacks where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the target server and executed when accessed by other users.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher submit content containing malicious scripts through the tooltip parameter, these inputs are not properly validated or escaped before being stored in the database. This failure in input validation creates a persistent threat vector where malicious code remains embedded within the application's data storage and executes whenever legitimate users access pages containing the injected content. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by users who typically have limited administrative capabilities within WordPress environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the affected WordPress installations. Since the vulnerability affects authenticated users with Contributor-level access, it represents a significant risk to organizations where multiple users have varying levels of access to content management systems. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the malicious scripts persist indefinitely until manually removed from the database, creating ongoing security exposure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers social engineering through phishing attacks, as the malicious scripts could be crafted to deceive users into performing unintended actions or reveal sensitive information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest plugin version where the XSS vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations. The recommended remediation approach involves applying the vendor's security patch as soon as it becomes available, while also considering temporary workarounds such as restricting user privileges or implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious inputs. Security teams should also monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential breaches. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins or components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing need for robust security practices in content management systems.