CVE-2024-1239 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 3.0.4. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the handling of the blog post 'read more' button. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages via insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Once injected, the malicious scripts execute in the context of any user who visits the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing sensitive information, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and the scope is changed as the vulnerability affects other components beyond the attacker’s privileges. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of the ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially those that allow user-generated content or contributions.

The impact of CVE-2024-1239 can be significant for organizations running WordPress sites with the vulnerable ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers with contributor or higher privileges to inject persistent malicious scripts, which execute in the browsers of site visitors or administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions performed with victim user privileges, defacement, or distribution of malware. Since contributors typically have permissions to create and edit content, the attack surface includes many sites with collaborative content management. The vulnerability does not directly affect availability but compromises confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content. Organizations relying on this plugin for critical or high-traffic websites risk reputational damage, data breaches, and potential regulatory consequences if user data is compromised. The medium CVSS score reflects that exploitation requires authenticated access, limiting exposure to some extent, but the broad impact on site visitors and administrators remains a concern.

To mitigate CVE-2024-1239, organizations should immediately update the ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider temporarily disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the blog post 'read more' button can provide interim protection. Site owners should audit existing content for injected scripts and remove any malicious code. Additionally, enforcing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help limit the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Regularly reviewing user roles and permissions to minimize unnecessary contributor access reduces the attack surface. Finally, monitoring logs for suspicious activity related to content creation or modification can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts.