CVE-2024-4459 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-87 (Improper Neutralization of Alternate XSS Syntax) found in the Themesflat Addons For Elementor plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.1.1. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of user-supplied attributes, specifically in the widget titles. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into widget titles. Because the injected scripts are stored persistently, they execute in the context of any user who visits the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting the page, but it does require the attacker to have at least contributor-level access, which is a relatively low privilege level in WordPress. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in WordPress plugins, especially those that allow user-generated content to be rendered in the frontend.

The impact of CVE-2024-4459 on organizations worldwide can be significant, particularly for websites using the Themesflat Addons For Elementor plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the affected site, leading to potential session hijacking, theft of sensitive user information, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. Since the vulnerability requires only contributor-level access, attackers can leverage compromised or weak accounts to escalate their impact. This can undermine user trust, damage brand reputation, and lead to regulatory compliance issues if user data is exposed. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting the entire website or connected systems. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the widespread use of WordPress and Elementor means that many organizations could be targeted once exploit code becomes available. E-commerce sites, membership platforms, and any site handling sensitive user data are at particular risk.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4459, organizations should first check for updates from the Themesflat plugin developers and apply any available patches promptly once released. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and review user roles to minimize the number of accounts with such privileges. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting widget titles can provide temporary protection. Additionally, site administrators can sanitize and validate all user inputs manually or via custom code to ensure no malicious scripts are stored. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual activity or injected scripts in widget titles are recommended. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can also reduce the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Finally, educating content contributors about safe input practices and monitoring plugin security advisories will help maintain a secure environment.