CVE-2024-9618 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the WordPress plugin Master Addons – Elementor Addons with White Label, Free Widgets, Hover Effects, Conditions, & Animations developed by litonice13. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.0.7.2 due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input and inadequate output escaping in multiple widgets. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript payloads into pages generated by the plugin. Because the malicious scripts are stored persistently, they execute every time a user accesses the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting the affected page and does not require higher privileges than contributor-level access, which is commonly granted to content creators. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and partial confidentiality and integrity impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Elementor and its addons in WordPress sites. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially in plugins that handle dynamic content generation.

The impact of CVE-2024-9618 is primarily on confidentiality and integrity, with no direct availability impact. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of affected websites, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information such as cookies or credentials, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, and website defacement. Since the vulnerability requires contributor-level access, attackers who have compromised or gained such access can escalate their impact by injecting persistent malicious scripts. This can undermine user trust, damage brand reputation, and lead to regulatory compliance issues if user data is exposed. Organizations relying on this plugin for their WordPress sites face risks of targeted attacks, especially if they have a large user base or handle sensitive data. The stored nature of the XSS increases the risk as multiple users can be affected over time. Additionally, attackers could use the vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks within the network if administrative users are targeted. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept code may emerge.

1. Immediately update the Master Addons – Elementor Addons plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. Monitor official channels for security updates. 2. If no patch is available, temporarily disable or remove the plugin to prevent exploitation. 3. Restrict contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review existing user permissions to minimize the risk of insider threats. 4. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting the affected widgets. 5. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within custom code or additional plugins to reduce injection risks. 6. Regularly audit WordPress sites for suspicious scripts or injected content, focusing on pages using the vulnerable widgets. 7. Educate content creators and administrators about the risks of XSS and safe content practices. 8. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources, mitigating the impact of injected scripts. 9. Monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 10. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of account compromise leading to contributor-level access.