CVE-2024-12852 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Happy Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress, specifically within the 'ha_cmc_text' parameter of the Happy Mouse Cursor feature. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user input and inadequate escaping of output, allowing malicious scripts to be stored persistently in the website's content. An attacker with authenticated access at the Contributor level or above can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages or posts. When other users, including administrators or visitors, access the infected page, the malicious script executes in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or further exploitation of the site. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.15.1 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity level, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required but no user interaction needed. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of authenticated access requirements limits immediate widespread exploitation. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a common vector for XSS attacks. Mitigation requires applying patches or updates from the vendor once available or implementing strict input validation and output encoding controls. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious content injections and limiting Contributor privileges can reduce risk.

The impact of CVE-2024-12852 is significant for organizations using the Happy Addons for Elementor plugin on WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows attackers with Contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts, which execute in the browsers of users viewing the infected pages. This can lead to theft of authentication cookies, enabling session hijacking and unauthorized access escalation. Attackers may also deface websites, redirect users to malicious domains, or conduct phishing attacks leveraging the trusted site context. The confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content are at risk, though availability is not directly affected. Since Contributor-level access is required, the threat is more relevant in environments with multiple content editors or less restrictive user management. Organizations with high-traffic WordPress sites or those hosting sensitive user data could face reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance violations if exploited. The medium CVSS score reflects these moderate but impactful risks. Without timely mitigation, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as a foothold for broader compromise within the web application ecosystem.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12852, organizations should first verify if they are using the Happy Addons for Elementor plugin and identify the installed version. Since no patch links are currently provided, immediate steps include restricting Contributor-level user permissions to trusted personnel only and auditing existing content for suspicious script injections. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the 'ha_cmc_text' parameter can reduce risk. Site administrators should enforce strict input validation and output encoding in custom code or overrides related to this plugin. Monitoring logs for unusual content submissions and user activities can help detect exploitation attempts early. Once the vendor releases an official patch or update, promptly apply it to remediate the vulnerability. Additionally, educating content contributors about safe content practices and limiting plugin usage to essential features can minimize attack surface. Regular security assessments and plugin updates remain critical to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.