CVE-2024-5554 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the bdthemes Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress, which includes components such as Header Footer, Template Library, Dynamic Grid & Carousel, and Remote Arrows. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically inadequate sanitization and escaping of the 'onclick_event' parameter. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level privileges or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages managed by the plugin. Because the malicious script is stored persistently, it executes automatically whenever any user accesses the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 5.6.11. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, requiring privileges, no user interaction, and a scope change. Although no known exploits have been observed in the wild, the widespread deployment of WordPress and Elementor plugins increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and output encoding in plugin development to prevent XSS attacks.

The impact of CVE-2024-5554 on organizations worldwide can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the affected Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers with Contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts, which execute in the browsers of any visitors to the compromised pages. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions performed with user privileges, defacement, or distribution of malware. For organizations, this can result in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, data breaches, and potential regulatory penalties if sensitive user data is exposed. Since Contributor-level access is required, attackers must first gain some level of authenticated access, which may be possible through compromised accounts or weak internal controls. The vulnerability does not affect site availability but compromises confidentiality and integrity. Given the popularity of WordPress and Elementor plugins, a large number of websites globally are at risk, including corporate, e-commerce, and governmental sites, increasing the potential attack surface.

To mitigate CVE-2024-5554, organizations should: 1) Immediately update the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin to a patched version once released by bdthemes. 2) If a patch is not yet available, restrict Contributor-level and higher user permissions to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. 3) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'onclick_event' parameter. 4) Conduct regular audits of user-generated content and plugin configurations to identify and remove any injected scripts. 5) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 6) Educate site administrators and content contributors on secure content management practices. 7) Monitor logs and user activity for signs of unauthorized access or injection attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, proactive detection, and layered defenses tailored to the nature of this stored XSS vulnerability.