CVE-2024-8236 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the Elementor Website Builder plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for creating and managing website content. The vulnerability specifically targets the 'url' parameter of the Icon widget, where insufficient input sanitization and output escaping allow authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When other users access the compromised page, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the context of the affected site. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.25.7. The attack vector requires network access and authentication but no user interaction beyond page viewing. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with low attack complexity, partial confidentiality and integrity impact, and no availability impact. No public exploits have been reported, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk in multi-user WordPress environments where contributors can edit content. The lack of proper input validation and output encoding in the plugin's codebase is the root cause, emphasizing the importance of secure coding practices in web application development.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential compromise of user confidentiality and integrity within affected WordPress sites using the Elementor plugin. Attackers with Contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors or administrators, enabling session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or unauthorized actions such as changing site content or user permissions. While availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can be significant. Organizations relying on Elementor for website management, especially those with multiple contributors or public-facing content, face increased risk of targeted attacks or exploitation by insiders. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks within the hosting environment or connected systems. Given the widespread use of WordPress and Elementor, the scope of affected systems is large, increasing the potential impact globally.

To mitigate CVE-2024-8236, organizations should immediately update the Elementor plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict Contributor-level and higher permissions to trusted users only and audit existing content for suspicious scripts. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the 'url' parameter can provide temporary protection. Additionally, applying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the impact of XSS by restricting script execution sources. Regularly scanning the website for injected scripts and monitoring user activity logs for unusual behavior is recommended. Developers should review and enhance input validation and output encoding practices in custom Elementor widgets or extensions. Finally, educating content contributors about secure input practices and the risks of XSS can help reduce accidental exploitation.