The ElementsKit Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's Creative Button widget in all versions up to, and including, 3.6.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This vulnerability allows 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.
With a CVSS score of 6.4, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized script execution, leading to data theft, session hijacking, or other malicious activities.
Currently, there are no public exploits confirmed for this vulnerability. However, organizations should be aware that the absence of known exploits does not diminish the risk associated with it.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk and ensure the security of their WordPress installations.
Vulnerability Details
The ElementsKit Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's Creative Button widget. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.6.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes.
The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-79. The CVSS score from security@wordfence.com is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level with an attack vector of NETWORK, low attack complexity, and low privileges required.
The vulnerability was published on April 19, 2024, and has been modified since its initial disclosure.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper input validation and output sanitization in the Creative Button widget. Attackers may leverage this to inject arbitrary scripts that execute in the context of the affected user’s session.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require any advanced skills or knowledge to exploit. The privileges required are low, meaning that an attacker with contributor-level access can exploit this vulnerability.
User interaction is not required for the exploitation to be successful. The impact on confidentiality is low, as the attacker may access data that should be protected. The integrity of the data can also be compromised, while availability is unaffected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk arises from the fact that many WordPress installations may be using the vulnerable ElementsKit Pro plugin. Given its widespread use, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations, especially those with high user engagement.
If exploited, attackers can execute scripts that may lead to data exfiltration, session hijacking, or further attacks on the platform. Organizations should assess the potential blast radius and prioritize remediation based on their specific environments.
The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is moderate, given the CVSS score and the potential for exploitation. Organizations should schedule remediation in their patch cycle to avoid risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of the ElementsKit Pro plugin prior to 3.6.1 are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should update the ElementsKit Pro plugin to version 3.6.1 or later. If an immediate update is not possible, consider disabling the Creative Button widget to prevent exploitation.
For ongoing protection, organizations should implement security best practices such as input validation, output encoding, and regular security audits. Additional measures can include monitoring user activities for suspicious behavior.
Consider engaging in penetration testing to identify other potential vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for unusual script execution and review user activities to detect anomalies. Implement network monitoring to catch unauthorized access attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The ElementsKit Pro vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in web applications. As attackers continue to exploit similar vulnerabilities, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive.
Security teams should continually evaluate their defenses against injection vulnerabilities across all components. For further reading on best practices, consider reviewing the security testing best practices and how to implement them effectively.
Additionally, leveraging a comprehensive penetration testing methodology can help identify and mitigate such risks before they are exploited.
Finally, organizations should ensure they are aware of emerging threats and vulnerabilities by reviewing resources such as the vulnerability management program design to stay ahead of potential security issues.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)