CVE-2024-9868 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting the Header Footer, Template Library, Dynamic Grid & Carousel, and Remote Arrows components. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), where the 'url' parameter of the Age Gate Widget fails to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied input. This allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level or higher privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users access these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 5.10.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required at the Contributor level, and user interaction needed to trigger the payload. The scope is changed (S:C) because the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, impacting other users. No public exploits have been reported so far, but the presence of authenticated access requirements limits immediate exploitation risk. However, given the widespread use of WordPress and this plugin, the vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by site administrators.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-9868 is the compromise of confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data on affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, enabling theft of cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. This can lead to account takeover, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, or defacement of website content. While availability is not directly impacted, reputational damage and loss of user trust can indirectly affect business operations. Organizations with Contributor-level users are particularly vulnerable, as these users can inject malicious payloads. The vulnerability's exploitation scope extends beyond the attacker’s privileges, affecting all visitors to the compromised pages. This can facilitate phishing, malware distribution, or lateral movement within the site’s user base. Given the plugin’s popularity among WordPress sites globally, the potential scale of impact is significant, especially for sites with high traffic or sensitive user data.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9868, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates from the plugin vendor once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict Contributor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'url' parameter of the Age Gate Widget can help prevent exploitation. Site owners should audit existing content for injected scripts and remove any suspicious code. Enabling Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the impact of XSS by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts. Regularly reviewing user roles and permissions to enforce the principle of least privilege is critical. Additionally, monitoring logs for unusual activity related to the plugin or widget usage can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, educating users about the risks of XSS and safe content management practices will strengthen overall security posture.