CVE-2024-4448 – This stored XSS vulnerability in the Essential ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-4448?

CVE-2024-4448 has a CVSS score of 6.5 (MEDIUM). This stored XSS vulnerability in the Essential Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages. The scripts execute when users visit compromised pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or malware distribution. All WordPress sites using vulnerable plugin versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This stored XSS vulnerability in the Essential Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages. The scripts execute when users visit compromised pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or malware distribution. All WordPress sites using vulnerable plugin versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Essential Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin

Versions: All versions up to and including 5.9.19

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress with Elementor page builder and the vulnerable plugin installed. Contributor-level access or higher is needed for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

Essential Addons For Elementor by Wpdeveloper

View all CVEs affecting Essential Addons For Elementor →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers could steal administrator credentials, compromise user accounts, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or display phishing content to visitors.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper user role management and content review processes, impact is limited to potential defacement or minor data leakage.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once an attacker has contributor privileges.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 5.9.20

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3083162/essential-addons-for-elementor-lite/tags/5.9.20/

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Essential Addons for Elementor'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If manual update needed, download version 5.9.20+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict User Roles

all

Limit contributor-level access to trusted users only and implement content review workflows

Disable Vulnerable Widgets

all

Temporarily disable Dual Color Header, Event Calendar, and Advanced Data Table widgets in Elementor settings

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict content review process for all contributor submissions
Add web application firewall rules to block XSS payloads targeting these widgets

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check plugin version in WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins. If version is 5.9.19 or lower, you are vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin list --name='essential-addons-for-elementor' --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

After updating, verify plugin version shows 5.9.20 or higher in WordPress admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual content modifications by contributor-level users
Suspicious script tags in page content containing 'ea-dual-color-header', 'ea-event-calendar', or 'ea-advanced-data-table'

Network Indicators:

Unexpected script execution from WordPress pages
Suspicious outbound connections from user browsers after visiting specific pages

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress.log" AND ("ea-dual-color-header" OR "ea-event-calendar" OR "ea-advanced-data-table") AND ("script" OR "onclick" OR "javascript:")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-4448

CVSS v3 Score: 6.5 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-79

Published: May 14, 2024

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

🔗 References

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