CVE-2024-5819
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into pages using the Kadence Blocks plugin. The scripts execute when other users view the compromised pages, enabling session hijacking, defacement, or malware distribution. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of Kadence Blocks are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Kadence Blocks - Gutenberg Blocks for Page Builder Features
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, install backdoors, redirect users to malicious sites, or completely compromise the WordPress site and potentially the server.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies, redirect visitors to phishing pages, or deface website content.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and content review processes, impact is limited to potential defacement of specific pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once authenticated. DOM-based XSS via HTML data attributes.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.2.46 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3108332/kadence-blocks
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Kadence Blocks' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 3.2.46 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict User Roles
allTemporarily restrict contributor-level access or implement content approval workflows
Disable Plugin
linuxTemporarily disable Kadence Blocks plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate kadence-blocks
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict content review process for all contributor submissions
- Add Content Security Policy headers to mitigate XSS impact
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Kadence Blocks versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get kadence-blocks --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Kadence Blocks version is 3.2.46 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual content modifications by contributor-level users
- Multiple page edits in short timeframes
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected script tags in page responses
- Suspicious outbound connections from user browsers
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("kadence-blocks" OR "contributor") AND ("edit" OR "update")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3108332/kadence-blocks
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/c7457ce7-8471-415d-8e34-4505aa34fd61?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3108332/kadence-blocks
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/c7457ce7-8471-415d-8e34-4505aa34fd61?source=cve
