CVE-2025-5944 in Element Pack Addons for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2025
The Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘data-caption’ attribute in all versions up to, and including, 8.0.0 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 • 07/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5944 affects the Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin, a popular WordPress plugin that extends the functionality of the Elementor page builder. This plugin enables users to create advanced layouts and widgets, making it widely adopted across WordPress websites. The vulnerability manifests as a stored cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the 'data-caption' attribute within the plugin's functionality. The issue exists in all versions up to and including 8.0.0, representing a significant security risk for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who possess Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever affected pages are 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 users with sufficient privileges create or modify content using the plugin's features, the 'data-caption' attribute values are not properly validated or escaped before being stored in the database. This failure to sanitize user input creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored alongside legitimate content. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS flaw under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with Contributor-level permissions or higher, which is often a concerning prospect as many WordPress sites have multiple users with this level of access, particularly in collaborative environments or managed websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Once the injected scripts execute, attackers can potentially steal user sessions, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or even escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious scripts persist indefinitely until manually removed, making the attack surface continuous and potentially affecting numerous users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious content in web applications to execute code on target systems. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where the plugin is widely used and where multiple contributors have access to content management features, as the attack can spread across multiple pages and user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw. Users should also implement additional security measures such as restricting contributor-level access to only essential users, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for unauthorized content modifications. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while administrators should maintain updated backups to facilitate quick recovery if attacks occur. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices in web application development, particularly for plugins that handle user-generated content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's impact can be substantial given the widespread use of Elementor and Element Pack plugins in the WordPress ecosystem.