high CVSS 8.8

CVE-2024-5455·PHP vulnerability

The Plus Addons for Elementor Page Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 5.5.4 via the 'magazine_style' parameter within the Dynamic Smart Showcase widget. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.

Severity
high
Software
PHP
Fixed in
5.6.0
Published
2024-06-21

Affected versions

Until: 5.6.0

Fixed in: 5.6.0

How to fix this CVE

Update the Plus Addons for Elementor plugin to version 5.6.0 or later to eliminate the Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Dynamic Smart Showcase widget. The vulnerable 'magazine_style' parameter allowed authenticated users to manipulate file paths, potentially leading to execution of malicious PHP code. Ensure all WordPress installations using this plugin receive the patch promptly.

sudo dnf update php php-common php-cli

Defensia detects this vulnerability

What an exploitation attempt looks like

Sample log line indicative of exploitation attempts:

POST|GET requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or frontend Elementor endpoints containing 'magazine_style' parameter with path traversal sequences such as '../../', '%2e%2e%2f', or file:// protocol schemes targeting /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or other sensitive files

WAF mitigation (if patching is not yet possible)

Add this rule to your WAF to block exploitation attempts while you schedule the patch. 

Implement WAF rules to block requests containing 'magazine_style' parameter with directory traversal patterns (../../, ..\, %2e%2e%2f, %252e, null bytes). Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoints to known legitimate referers. Apply input validation rules to reject any 'magazine_style' values containing path separators or protocol schemes.

How to check if you are affected

  1. Check installed Plus Addons version: In WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins and locate 'Plus Addons for Elementor'. Verify version number is below 5.6.0.
  2. Confirm plugin is active: Use `wp plugin list --status=active | grep 'plus-addons'` via WP-CLI to verify the vulnerable plugin is active on the site.
  3. Search access logs for suspicious magazine_style parameters: Run `grep -i 'magazine_style' /var/log/apache2/access.log* | grep -E '\.\.|\/|\\' | head -20` to identify potential path traversal attempts.
  4. Verify the fix: After updating to version 5.6.0, confirm the plugin version in WordPress dashboard matches the patched release number.

FAQ

What is CVE-2024-5455?

CVE-2024-5455 is a Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Plus Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin that allows authenticated users with Contributor-level access to manipulate the 'magazine_style' parameter within the Dynamic Smart Showcase widget to include and execute arbitrary PHP files stored on the server.

Is CVE-2024-5455 being actively exploited?

No, CVE-2024-5455 is not currently listed on the CISA KEV catalog and no public exploits are publicly available, though the vulnerability remains critical due to its high CVSS score and potential for privilege escalation.

What versions of Plus Addons for Elementor are affected by CVE-2024-5455?

All versions up to and including 5.5.4 are affected. The vulnerability was patched in version 5.6.0.

How do I check if my WordPress site is vulnerable to CVE-2024-5455?

Log into your WordPress admin panel, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins, and check the Plus Addons for Elementor version. If it shows 5.5.4 or earlier, your site is vulnerable. You can also use WP-CLI: `wp plugin get plus-addons --field=version`

Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-5455?

Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed WordPress plugin versions against the NVD database. If Plus Addons for Elementor is installed on a monitored server with version 5.5.4 or below, CVE-2024-5455 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.

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References

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