CVE-2024-13346 is a code injection vulnerability classified under CWE-94 found in the Avada Website Builder theme for WordPress and WooCommerce. The issue arises because the theme improperly controls the generation of code by failing to validate input before passing it to the WordPress function do_shortcode. This function executes shortcodes, which are snippets of code embedded in WordPress content to perform dynamic actions. Due to insufficient validation, an unauthenticated attacker can craft requests that trigger arbitrary shortcode execution, effectively allowing remote code execution within the context of the WordPress site. This vulnerability affects all versions of Avada up to and including 7.11.13. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.3, reflecting a high severity with network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in February 2025, with no known exploits reported yet. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements combined with the widespread deployment of Avada theme in WordPress and WooCommerce sites increases the risk of exploitation. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute malicious code, inject backdoors, deface websites, or disrupt service.

The impact of CVE-2024-13346 is significant for organizations using the Avada theme on WordPress and WooCommerce platforms. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to compromise website confidentiality by accessing sensitive data, integrity by modifying content or injecting malicious payloads, and availability by disrupting site functionality or causing denial of service. E-commerce sites running WooCommerce are particularly at risk of financial fraud, data theft, or reputational damage. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely, it lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of widespread exploitation once public proof-of-concept code or exploits emerge. Organizations relying on Avada for their web presence may face regulatory compliance issues if customer data is exposed or manipulated. The threat also extends to hosting providers and managed WordPress service providers who may have multiple clients using the vulnerable theme, amplifying potential impact.

To mitigate CVE-2024-13346, organizations should immediately update the Avada theme to a patched version once released by ThemeFusion. Until a patch is available, administrators can implement the following specific measures: 1) Disable or restrict shortcode execution for unauthenticated users by modifying theme or WordPress configurations to limit do_shortcode usage. 2) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode injection patterns in HTTP requests. 3) Audit and harden user input validation mechanisms in custom code or plugins that interact with shortcodes. 4) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual shortcode execution attempts or anomalies. 5) Limit permissions of the WordPress user context running the web server to reduce the impact of potential code execution. 6) Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery. 7) Educate site administrators about the risks of installing untrusted plugins or themes that might exacerbate exploitation. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling shortcode execution and monitoring for exploitation attempts.