CVE-2024-35713
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Testimonial Carousel For Elementor WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view pages containing the compromised testimonials, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Testimonial Carousel For Elementor WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, take over WordPress sites, deface websites, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially compromising user accounts.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious testimonials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 10.1.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Testimonial Carousel For Elementor'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate testimonials-carousel-elementor
Restrict User Roles
allLimit testimonial submission to trusted administrators only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in testimonial submissions
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Testimonial Carousel For Elementor. If version is 10.1.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get testimonials-carousel-elementor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 10.1.2 or later in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual testimonial submissions containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by testimonial submissions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with suspicious payloads in testimonial fields
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("testimonial" AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload="))🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/testimonials-carousel-elementor/wordpress-testimonial-carousel-for-elementor-plugin-10-1-1-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/testimonials-carousel-elementor/wordpress-testimonial-carousel-for-elementor-plugin-10-1-1-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
