CVE-2024-12205 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Themesflat Addons For Elementor plugin for WordPress, specifically within the TF E Slider Widget component. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), where user-supplied data is insufficiently sanitized and output escaping is inadequate. As a result, authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. These malicious scripts are stored persistently and executed in the browsers of any users who visit the affected pages, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.2.4 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known active exploitation has been reported. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to have at least Contributor-level access, which is a moderately privileged role in WordPress, allowing content creation but not full administrative control. This lowers the barrier for exploitation compared to administrator-only vulnerabilities. The stored nature of the XSS increases its impact since injected scripts persist and affect multiple users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and output encoding in WordPress plugins, especially those handling user-generated content or dynamic widgets.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12205 is the potential compromise of website user confidentiality and integrity. Attackers with Contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, leading to session hijacking, theft of authentication tokens, defacement, or unauthorized actions performed with the victim's privileges. This can damage the reputation of affected organizations, lead to data breaches, and facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Since the vulnerability does not affect availability directly, denial-of-service impacts are minimal. However, the scope change in CVSS indicates that the vulnerability can affect users beyond the initial attacker, broadening its impact. Organizations relying on the Themesflat Addons For Elementor plugin for content presentation are at risk, especially those with multiple contributors or less stringent access controls. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value websites or in broader campaigns to compromise WordPress sites. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once details are widely known. The medium severity score reflects a balance between the required privileges and the potential damage caused by exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12205, organizations should first verify if they use the Themesflat Addons For Elementor plugin and identify the version in use. Although no official patch is currently available, monitoring the vendor's announcements for updates or patches is critical. Until a patch is released, restrict Contributor-level user privileges by auditing and limiting the number of users with such access, ensuring only trusted individuals have content creation rights. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the TF E Slider Widget. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Regularly scan the website for injected scripts or anomalous content, focusing on pages using the vulnerable widget. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce strict input validation on all user inputs. Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the vulnerable widget if feasible. Finally, maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.