CVE-2024-5253 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the Ultimate Addons for WPBakery plugin for WordPress, maintained by Brainstorm Force. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 3.19.20 and is caused by insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes within the ult_team shortcode. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly neutralize input before embedding it into web pages, allowing an authenticated attacker with contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When other users visit the affected pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack vector is remote over the network, with low complexity and no user interaction required beyond viewing the injected page. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity but does not affect availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature and access requirements make it a significant risk for WordPress sites using this plugin. The scope is limited to sites that have the plugin installed and active, and where attackers have contributor or higher privileges, which can be obtained through compromised accounts or weak access controls. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation).

The primary impact of CVE-2024-5253 is the compromise of user confidentiality and integrity on affected WordPress sites. Attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors or administrators, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, or defacement of site content. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Since contributor-level access is required, the vulnerability also highlights risks related to insider threats or compromised user accounts. The vulnerability does not directly affect system availability but can indirectly cause service disruption if exploited for defacement or administrative takeover. Organizations relying on the Ultimate Addons for WPBakery plugin are at risk, especially those with multiple contributors or less stringent access controls. The widespread use of WordPress globally means the potential attack surface is large, and exploitation could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value websites or mass exploitation campaigns.

To mitigate CVE-2024-5253, organizations should immediately update the Ultimate Addons for WPBakery plugin to a patched version once available from Brainstorm Force. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review existing user permissions to minimize risk. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the ult_team shortcode can provide interim protection. Site owners should also enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Regularly auditing plugin usage and monitoring logs for suspicious activity related to shortcode usage can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, educating contributors about secure input practices and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms (e.g., multi-factor authentication) reduces the likelihood of account compromise. Backup procedures should be verified to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. Finally, consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface.