The Avada | Website Builder For WordPress & WooCommerce theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 7.11.13. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes due to inadequate validation before running do_shortcode. The implications of this flaw are significant, as it may lead to unauthorized actions being performed on the website.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.3, classified as high severity. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges or user interaction, which increases the risk for organizations using this theme. As a result, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, it poses a real-world risk of exploitation. Attackers may leverage this flaw to execute malicious shortcodes that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the affected WordPress sites.
Organizations using the Avada theme should take immediate steps to remediate this vulnerability by upgrading to the latest version. Regular monitoring and vulnerability assessments are also recommended to ensure ongoing security.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows arbitrary shortcode execution due to improper validation when executing do_shortcode. The affected product is the Avada theme, developed by Theme Fusion. The vulnerability was published on February 13, 2025, and is classified under CWE-94.
The CVSS score assigned by NVD is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level, while the score from Wordfence indicates a high severity level of 7.3. Both scores highlight the need for prompt remediation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the lack of validation before executing user inputs as shortcodes. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit it without any authentication or user interaction. The complexity of the attack is low, and the impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all categorized as low.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential manipulation of website content. The blast radius could extend to any organization utilizing the affected version of the Avada theme. Due to the high CVSS score, urgency is critical, necessitating immediate patching to mitigate risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of the Avada theme up to and including 7.11.13 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to version 7.11.14 or later.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of the Avada theme to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing configuration hardening and network controls to reduce exposure. Regular monitoring and security assessments are recommended as part of a comprehensive security strategy.
For further guidance on security measures, organizations may refer to the penetration testing services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual shortcode execution and behavioral anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network signatures should be updated to detect any unauthorized shortcode executions.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability is that it underscores the importance of proper input validation in web applications. Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their application security measures and prevent similar vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability illustrates a pattern of security weaknesses found in popular themes and plugins, indicating a need for thorough security assessments during development.
Security teams are advised to adopt proactive security measures and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited.
For additional insights on vulnerability management, organizations can refer to the following resources: vulnerability management program design, penetration testing methodology, and application security assessment best practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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