CVE-2024-8618
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Page Builder: Pagelayer WordPress plugin allows administrators to inject malicious scripts into plugin settings, which then execute when other users view affected pages. It affects WordPress sites using Pagelayer plugin versions before 1.9.0, particularly in multisite configurations where unfiltered_html capability is restricted.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Page Builder: Pagelayer plugin
📦 What is this software?
Pagelayer by Pagelayer
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Administrator account compromise leads to site-wide XSS payload execution, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing actions as authenticated users.
Likely Case
Malicious admin injects XSS payloads that execute for other users, potentially compromising their accounts or performing unauthorized actions.
If Mitigated
With proper admin account security and regular patching, impact is limited to potential data exposure from compromised admin accounts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin privileges. Public proof-of-concept available via WPScan references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.9.0
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/acddcf33-0a18-499e-b42d-c8b49f2c4de5/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Page Builder: Pagelayer'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.9.0+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable plugin
linuxTemporarily disable or remove the Pagelayer plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate pagelayer
wp plugin delete pagelayer
Restrict admin access
allTemporarily limit admin account usage and implement strong authentication
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict admin account monitoring and review all plugin settings for suspicious content
- Use web application firewall rules to block XSS payloads in plugin settings
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Page Builder: Pagelayer version. If version is below 1.9.0, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get pagelayer --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify plugin version shows 1.9.0 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual admin activity modifying plugin settings
- Multiple failed login attempts to admin accounts
- Suspicious JavaScript in plugin configuration
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from WordPress admin sessions
- Suspicious payloads in POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("pagelayer" OR "plugin settings") AND ("admin" OR "wp-admin") AND ("update" OR "modify")