CVE-2026-2486 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Master Addons For Elementor plugin for WordPress, specifically in versions up to and including 2.1.1. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), where the 'ma_el_bh_table_btn_text' parameter is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages managed by the plugin. Because the malicious script is stored persistently, it executes every time any user accesses the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring user interaction, but it does require the attacker to have at least contributor-level access, which is a moderate privilege level in WordPress. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with low attack complexity and partial impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability. While no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using this plugin, especially those with multiple contributors or editors. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate attention to access controls and input validation practices.

The impact of CVE-2026-2486 is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed in the context of other users, defacement, or distribution of malware through injected scripts. Since the vulnerability requires contributor-level access, attackers who have compromised or gained such privileges can escalate their influence by injecting persistent malicious scripts. This can undermine user trust, lead to data leakage, and potentially facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the site. For organizations relying on the Master Addons For Elementor plugin, especially those with multiple content contributors or editors, the risk is elevated. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can cause reputational damage and operational disruption if exploited. Given the widespread use of WordPress and Elementor plugins globally, the threat surface is significant, particularly for websites that do not enforce strict user role management or input validation.

To mitigate CVE-2026-2486, organizations should first verify if they are using the Master Addons For Elementor plugin version 2.1.1 or earlier and plan to upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, immediate steps include restricting contributor-level access to trusted users only and auditing existing contributors for suspicious activity. Implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious script injections targeting the 'ma_el_bh_table_btn_text' parameter can provide temporary protection. Additionally, site administrators should enforce strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially in custom plugin parameters. Regularly monitoring logs for unusual behavior and conducting security reviews of user roles and permissions will reduce the risk of exploitation. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Finally, educating contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and maintaining up-to-date backups will aid in recovery if exploitation occurs.