CVE-2025-8200
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages using the Mega Elements plugin's Countdown Timer widget. The scripts execute automatically when other users view the compromised pages, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or content defacement. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Mega Elements – Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain administrative access, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious sites, potentially leading to complete site compromise and data breaches.
Likely Case
Malicious scripts steal user session cookies or credentials, allowing attackers to impersonate users, modify content, or perform unauthorized actions within the site.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and content review workflows, impact is limited to defacement or minor content manipulation on specific pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access with at least contributor privileges. Attackers need to create or edit pages containing the vulnerable widget.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 1.3.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/mega-elements-addons-for-elementor/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Mega Elements – Addons for Elementor'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.3.3+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict User Roles
allTemporarily limit contributor-level users from creating or editing pages until patch is applied.
Use WordPress role management plugins or custom code to restrict page editing capabilities
Disable Countdown Timer Widget
allRemove or disable the vulnerable widget from Elementor widget library.
Add custom PHP code to theme's functions.php to unregister the widget
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict content review workflow requiring editor/administrator approval for all contributor submissions
- Install web application firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules and monitor for suspicious script injection attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check plugin version in WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins. If version is 1.3.2 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='mega-elements-addons-for-elementor' --field=version (WP-CLI)Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.3.3 or higher. Test Countdown Timer widget functionality to ensure it still works properly.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual page edits by contributor-level users
- POST requests to wp-admin/post.php with suspicious script content in parameters
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress site
- Unexpected script tags in page responses containing 'mega-elements' or 'countdown-timer'
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("post_modified" OR "edit_post") AND user_role="contributor" AND ("script" OR "javascript:" OR "onclick")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3362890%40mega-elements-addons-for-elementor&new=3362890%40mega-elements-addons-for-elementor&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/mega-elements-addons-for-elementor/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a8c676a0-287f-479c-aaa1-ba638b340e11?source=cve
