CVE-2024-9068 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the OneElements – Best Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.3.7. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and output escaping of SVG file uploads, which allows authenticated users with Author-level access or higher to embed arbitrary JavaScript code within SVG files. When these SVG files are accessed or rendered by other users, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising session tokens, stealing sensitive information, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability requires authentication at the Author level or above, which limits exposure to some extent but still poses a significant risk in environments where multiple users have such privileges. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change due to affecting other users. No patches or known exploits are currently available, increasing the urgency for administrators to implement interim mitigations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because SVG files are commonly used for scalable graphics on websites, and the plugin is widely used in WordPress sites for Elementor page building, increasing the attack surface.

The impact of CVE-2024-9068 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, which can lead to session hijacking, theft of cookies or credentials, unauthorized actions such as content modification, or redirection to malicious sites. While availability is not directly impacted, the compromise of user sessions and site integrity can lead to reputational damage and loss of user trust. Organizations with multiple authors or editors on WordPress sites are at higher risk, as attackers need Author-level access to exploit the vulnerability. This threat is significant for businesses relying on WordPress for content management, especially those using the OneElements plugin, as it can facilitate lateral movement and privilege escalation within the site. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current exploitation but also indicates a window of opportunity for attackers to develop exploits before patches are widely deployed.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9068, organizations should first check for updates or patches from the plugin vendor and apply them immediately once available. In the absence of patches, restrict SVG file uploads to trusted users only or disable SVG uploads entirely if not essential. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all uploaded files, especially SVGs, to remove or neutralize embedded scripts. Limit the number of users with Author-level or higher privileges to reduce the attack surface. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. Regularly audit user roles and permissions within WordPress to ensure least privilege principles. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual activity related to SVG file uploads or script execution. Consider using web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS payloads in SVG files. Finally, educate site administrators and content creators about the risks of uploading untrusted SVG content.