CVE-2024-5416 – This stored XSS vulnerability in Elementor Word... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-5416?

CVE-2024-5416 has a CVSS score of 5.4 (MEDIUM). This stored XSS vulnerability in Elementor WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts via URL parameters in multiple widgets. The scripts execute when other users view Elementor Editor pages, potentially compromising their sessions or performing unauthorized actions. All versions up to 3.23.4 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This stored XSS vulnerability in Elementor WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts via URL parameters in multiple widgets. The scripts execute when other users view Elementor Editor pages, potentially compromising their sessions or performing unauthorized actions. All versions up to 3.23.4 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Elementor Website Builder WordPress plugin

Versions: All versions up to and including 3.23.4

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires authenticated user with contributor role or higher; affects multiple widgets including image, social icons, testimonial, and button widgets.

📦 What is this software?

Website Builder by Elementor

View all CVEs affecting Website Builder →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers could steal administrator credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.

🟠

Likely Case

Session hijacking, cookie theft, or unauthorized content modification by authenticated malicious users.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper user access controls and content security policies in place.

🌐 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 authenticated; partial patch in 3.23.2 may complicate exploitation.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 3.23.5

Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/#developers

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Elementor plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update shows, manually download version 3.23.5+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict User Roles

all

Limit contributor and author roles to trusted users only; consider removing contributor access if not needed.

Content Security Policy

linux

Implement strict CSP headers to mitigate XSS impact.

Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' https://trusted.cdn.com;"

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable Elementor plugin temporarily until patched
Implement web application firewall with XSS protection rules

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Elementor > Version. If version is 3.23.4 or lower, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin list --name=elementor --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Elementor version is 3.23.5 or higher in WordPress admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual POST requests to Elementor editor endpoints with URL parameters containing script tags
Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor-level login

Network Indicators:

Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress server after Elementor editor access

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress.log" AND ("elementor" AND "editor" AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onclick"))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-5416

CVSS v3 Score: 5.4 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-79

Published: September 11, 2024

Last Updated: September 26, 2024

🔗 References

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