CVE-2024-13547
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into pages using the Image Accordion widget. The scripts execute whenever users view the compromised pages, enabling session hijacking, defacement, or malware distribution. All WordPress sites using the aThemes Addons for Elementor plugin up to version 1.0.12 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- aThemes Addons for Elementor (WordPress plugin)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, install backdoors, redirect users to malicious sites, or completely compromise the WordPress installation.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user sessions, display fraudulent content, or redirect users to phishing pages.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and content review processes, impact is limited to defacement of specific pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once authenticated. Public proof-of-concept exists in vulnerability reports.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.13
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'aThemes Addons for Elementor'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or download version 1.0.13+ from WordPress repository. 5. Activate the updated plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Image Accordion Widget
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable widget until patching is complete
Navigate to Elementor > Settings > Advanced > Disable Image Accordion widget
Restrict Contributor Permissions
allTemporarily restrict Contributor users from editing pages/posts
Use WordPress role management plugin to modify Contributor capabilities
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Contributor role access entirely or restrict to trusted users only
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate XSS impact
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for aThemes Addons for Elementor version 1.0.12 or lowerCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name='aThemes Addons for Elementor' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.0.13 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual page edits by Contributor users
- JavaScript injection in page content
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful Contributor login
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected external script loads from WordPress pages
- Suspicious redirects from legitimate pages
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="page_edit" AND user_role="contributor") OR (http_user_agent CONTAINS "<script>")