CVE-2024-4265 – This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPre... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-4265?

CVE-2024-4265 has a CVSS score of 6.4 (MEDIUM). This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages via the 'url' parameter in the Master Addons plugin. The injected scripts execute whenever users visit the compromised pages, enabling persistent cross-site scripting attacks. All WordPress sites using Master Addons plugin versions up to 2.0.5.9 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages via the 'url' parameter in the Master Addons plugin. The injected scripts execute whenever users visit the compromised pages, enabling persistent cross-site scripting attacks. All WordPress sites using Master Addons plugin versions up to 2.0.5.9 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Master Addons – Free Widgets, Hover Effects, Toggle, Conditions, Animations for Elementor

Versions: Up to and including 2.0.5.9

Operating Systems: All operating systems running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress with Elementor and Master Addons plugin installed. Contributor-level authentication is required for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

Master Addons by Master Addons

View all CVEs affecting Master Addons →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers could steal administrator credentials, hijack user sessions, redirect users to malicious sites, or deface the website completely.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user cookies, session tokens, or perform phishing attacks against site visitors.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper input validation and output escaping, the vulnerability would be prevented, and only users with appropriate permissions could modify content.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires authenticated access with contributor permissions or higher. The vulnerability is well-documented in public references.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.0.6.0 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3078134/

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Master Addons' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify the plugin version is 2.0.6.0 or higher.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict User Permissions

all

Temporarily restrict contributor-level permissions or review user accounts with contributor access.

Disable Vulnerable Components

all

Disable the MA Image Carousel and MA Logo Slider addons until patched.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
Monitor for suspicious activity from contributor-level accounts and review all content changes

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Master Addons version. If version is 2.0.5.9 or lower, you are vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin list --name='master-addons' --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

After updating, verify the plugin version shows 2.0.6.0 or higher in WordPress admin.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual content modifications by contributor-level users
Suspicious URL parameters in POST requests to plugin endpoints

Network Indicators:

Script tags with unusual attributes in HTTP responses
Requests to external domains from injected scripts

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress.log" AND ("ma-image-carousel" OR "ma-logo-slider") AND ("url=" OR "script")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-4265

CVSS v3 Score: 6.4 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CWE: CWE-79

Published: May 2, 2024

Last Updated: February 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2024-4265, you might also want to check these: