CVE-2026-24605 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability in the pencilwp X Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.0.23. The vulnerability arises from incorrectly configured access control security levels, which fail to properly restrict user permissions for certain plugin functionalities. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass authorization checks, potentially enabling unauthorized users to perform actions that should be restricted, such as modifying site content, changing plugin settings, or accessing sensitive data. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Elementor and its addons in website development. The absence of a CVSS score complicates severity assessment, but the nature of the flaw—missing authorization—typically leads to high-impact consequences, including confidentiality breaches and integrity violations. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing the likelihood of exploitation. The issue affects all installations running vulnerable versions of the plugin, which is popular among European organizations leveraging WordPress for their web presence. The vulnerability was published on January 23, 2026, by Patchstack, but no official patches or fixes have been linked yet, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from site administrators and security teams.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of website content and configurations, undermining the integrity and confidentiality of their online presence. Organizations relying on the X Addons for Elementor plugin for critical business websites or e-commerce platforms may experience data breaches, defacement, or disruption of services. The compromise of website integrity can damage brand reputation, lead to loss of customer trust, and potentially result in regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Additionally, attackers could leverage the vulnerability to establish persistent footholds or pivot to other internal systems if the compromised website is connected to broader enterprise infrastructure. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation increases the risk of automated attacks and widespread exploitation attempts, particularly targeting high-value European digital assets. The impact is amplified in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where website integrity and data confidentiality are paramount.

European organizations should immediately inventory their WordPress sites to identify installations of the pencilwp X Addons for Elementor plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, administrators should restrict access to plugin management interfaces to trusted users only and implement strict role-based access controls to limit who can modify plugin settings. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block unauthorized requests targeting the plugin’s endpoints. Regularly monitor website logs for suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Consider temporarily disabling or uninstalling the plugin if it is not essential or if no timely patch is available. Engage with the plugin vendor or security community to obtain updates or mitigations. Additionally, ensure that WordPress core and other plugins are up to date to reduce the attack surface. Implement multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts to further protect against unauthorized access. Finally, conduct security awareness training for site administrators about the risks of plugin vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching.