CVE-2024-9868 in Element Pack Elementor Addons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2024
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 Age Gate Widget 'url' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 5.10.1 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-2024-9868 affects the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting the Age Gate Widget component within the plugin's functionality. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 5.10.1, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The attack vector involves the 'url' parameter within the Age Gate Widget, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing and rendering.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and inadequate output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When an authenticated attacker with Contributor-level privileges or higher submits malicious input through the Age Gate Widget's 'url' parameter, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before storing it in the database. This stored malicious content then gets executed whenever any user accesses a page containing the injected script, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaws, specifically the stored variant where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the target server and executed when accessed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress environments that utilize the Element Pack plugin, particularly those with multiple user roles or contributors who may have elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that could steal user sessions, deface websites, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the compromised WordPress installation. The fact that this vulnerability requires only Contributor-level access makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who normally have limited administrative capabilities, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or data exfiltration. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat that remains active until the plugin is updated to a secure version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9868 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest secure version that addresses the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting user privileges to the minimum required for their roles, monitoring user activities for suspicious behavior, and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through phishing and social engineering attacks that could be facilitated by this XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and regularly audit their WordPress plugins for security vulnerabilities to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.