CVE-2024-4618
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages using the Exclusive Addons for Elementor plugin's Team Member widget. The stored XSS payload executes whenever users visit the compromised pages, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 2.6.9.6 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Exclusive Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, take over the WordPress site, deface pages, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts that steal user session cookies or credentials when visitors view compromised pages, potentially leading to account takeover.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and content security policies, the impact is limited to defacement or minor data leakage from affected pages only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once an attacker has contributor privileges. The vulnerability is publicly documented with technical details.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6.9.7
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/exclusive-addons-for-elementor/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Exclusive Addons for Elementor' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify the plugin version is 2.6.9.7 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Team Member Widget
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable Team Member widget in Elementor settings
Restrict User Roles
allTemporarily remove contributor-level editing permissions from untrusted users
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Use web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in URL parameters
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Exclusive Addons for Elementor version. If version is 2.6.9.6 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=exclusive-addons-for-elementor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the plugin version shows 2.6.9.7 or higher in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to team-member endpoints
- Suspicious URL parameters containing script tags or JavaScript in WordPress logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with malicious script payloads in URL parameters to WordPress admin-ajax.php or similar endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("team-member" OR "exclusive-addons") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/exclusive-addons-for-elementor/tags/2.6.9.6/elements/team-member/team-member.php#L1696
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3083582/#file4
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/exclusive-addons-for-elementor/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2e82478c-e476-4cdf-ab72-f578331058e2?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/exclusive-addons-for-elementor/tags/2.6.9.6/elements/team-member/team-member.php#L1696
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3083582/#file4
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/exclusive-addons-for-elementor/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2e82478c-e476-4cdf-ab72-f578331058e2?source=cve
