CVE-2024-5504 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Rife Elementor Extensions & Templates plugin for WordPress, specifically in the Writing Effect Headline widget's handling of the 'tag' attribute. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.2.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of user-supplied data. An authenticated attacker with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into the 'tag' attribute, which is then stored persistently in the website's content. When any user, including administrators or visitors, accesses the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context. This can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or distribution of malware. The vulnerability requires authentication but no user interaction for exploitation once the malicious content is published. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, and partial impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to sites using this plugin, especially those allowing contributor-level access to untrusted users.

The impact of CVE-2024-5504 is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing actions on behalf of legitimate users. This can lead to account compromise, data leakage, and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability is stored XSS, the malicious payload persists and affects all users who visit the infected page, amplifying the risk. Organizations relying on the Rife Elementor Extensions & Templates plugin for content presentation are at risk of website defacement, loss of user trust, and potential downstream attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. The requirement for contributor-level access limits exposure but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple content editors or less stringent access controls. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can indirectly cause service disruption through administrative account compromise or cleanup efforts.

To mitigate CVE-2024-5504, organizations should immediately review user roles and restrict contributor-level access to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of malicious content injection. Implement strict input validation and output escaping for all user-supplied data within the plugin's widgets, particularly the 'tag' attribute in the Writing Effect Headline widget. Monitor and audit content changes for suspicious scripts or unexpected HTML tags. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin or widget to eliminate the attack surface. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting this plugin. Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins to incorporate security fixes promptly. Educate content editors about the risks of injecting untrusted code and enforce security best practices in content management workflows. Finally, maintain regular backups to facilitate recovery in case of compromise.