CVE-2024-4262 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79 affecting the Piotnet Addons For Elementor plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes within multiple widgets of the plugin. It affects all versions up to and including 2.4.28. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages generated by the plugin. When other users visit these compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malicious payloads. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, reflecting a high severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required beyond contributor access, no user interaction needed, and a scope change affecting confidentiality and integrity. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin increases the risk of future exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because contributor-level users are common in multi-author WordPress sites, making it easier for attackers to gain the necessary privileges. The lack of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation steps.

The impact of CVE-2024-4262 is significant for organizations running WordPress sites with the Piotnet Addons For Elementor plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution in the context of the victim's browser, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content. Since the vulnerability allows scope change, attackers can escalate their influence beyond the initially compromised contributor accounts. The availability impact is minimal, but the reputational damage and potential data breaches can be severe. Organizations with multi-author blogs, e-commerce sites, or membership portals using this plugin are at heightened risk. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks within the network or to distribute malware to site visitors. Given the plugin's popularity, the threat has a broad potential reach, affecting small businesses, enterprises, and governmental websites alike.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4262, organizations should immediately restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. Site administrators should monitor and audit user-generated content for suspicious code or unexpected changes. Applying strict input validation and output escaping at the application level can reduce the risk, though this requires code changes if patches are unavailable. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the Piotnet Addons For Elementor plugin if feasible. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting the plugin's widgets. Regularly update WordPress core and all plugins to their latest versions once patches become available. Additionally, educate content contributors about safe content practices and the risks of embedding untrusted code. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources, limiting the impact of injected scripts. Finally, maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any successful exploitation.