In late 2023, a security vulnerability (CVE-2023-48777) was discovered in Elementor, a popular website builder plugin for WordPress. This issue, present in versions 3.3.0 through 3.18.1, allowed unauthorised users to upload files, potentially leading to serious security risks such as remote code execution.
The main takeaway here is that even trusted tools like Elementor aren’t completely immune to security issues. That’s why it’s important to go beyond just relying on updates and take extra steps to strengthen your website’s defences against potential threats.
In this article, we’ll explain the details of this and other recent vulnerabilities in Elementor, how to check if your site is affected, and steps you can take to secure your site. We’ll also explore how tools like Shield Security PRO helps strengthen your overall protection with features like MAL{ai} and silentCAPTCHA.
Elementor’s most critical vulnerabilities
Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress page builder plugins, with over 10 million active installations. Its user-friendly design makes it a go-to choice for creating professional websites, but this widespread use also makes any vulnerability a prime target for exploitation.
Some of the most critical issues in Elementor involve Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, which allow malicious scripts to be injected into otherwise trusted websites, potentially compromising user data or redirecting traffic to harmful sites.
A more specific type of vulnerability in Elementor is called DOM-based XSS. To put it simply, the DOM (Document Object Model) is like the structure or blueprint of a webpage, defining how things are organised and displayed.
DOM-based attacks are a type of website hack where attackers secretly change parts of a page right on a user’s device, without affecting the original website. This means they can add fake forms or links to steal your info or mislead you, but only you see these changes. Since it happens in your browser, the website itself might not even know it’s happening.
The severity of these vulnerabilities is often measured using the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). For example, Elementor’s arbitrary file upload vulnerability received a CVSS score of 9.9 – nearly as severe as it gets. This flaw allowed attackers to upload malicious files to vulnerable websites, potentially leading to full control over the site.
Other issues include a stored XSS vulnerability in the Media Carousel widget, which could inject harmful code directly into the site, and a serious SQL injection vulnerability affecting versions 3.3.0 through 3.20.2, which could expose sensitive data or give attackers access to the database.
Shield Security PRO offers features like Vulnerability Scanning and automatic upgrades, which can help safeguard Elementor-powered websites by detecting and patching these kinds of vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities with Elementor file upload
A critical vulnerability in Elementor allowed authenticated users with contributor-level access to upload arbitrary files, including potentially dangerous PHP files. This flaw, affecting versions 3.3.0 through 3.18.1, created a pathway for remote code execution, meaning attackers could take full control of a site. The issue was given a CVSS score of 9.9 – just 0.1 shy of the maximum – due to its potential severity.
The vulnerability worked by bypassing Elementor’s file type checks, which normally prevent unauthorised file uploads. Attackers could trick the system into accepting harmful files, opening the door for malicious scripts to be run on the server. While Elementor attempted to patch the problem in version 3.18.1, the hastily issued fix was only partial, and a full solution wasn’t implemented until version 3.18.2.
Issues with Elementor access control
Elementor, up to version 3.13.2, had a missing authorisation vulnerability that allowed lower-level users, like contributors or subscribers, to access functionality meant only for admins.
While its CVSS score of 4.3 might not seem alarming, access control issues like this can lead to serious problems in multi-user environments. Unauthorised users could exploit this and make changes they weren’t supposed to, potentially leading to site-wide damage.
A proof-of-concept exploit even demonstrated how this vulnerability could be manipulated to gain admin-level access, highlighting just how important it is to lock down user permissions properly.
Shield Security PRO’s got you covered here with user session management, which offers real-time tracking and control of logged-in users, with the ability to terminate suspicious sessions instantly.
You can also use the Security Admin feature to lock down critical settings so only authorized users with a PIN can access them. This directly blocks unauthorized tampering with security configurations, including promotion of users to admins, reducing the impact should bad actors exploit any Elementor vulnerabilities on your site.
Addressing vulnerabilities in Elementor add-ons
Elementor is already a prime target for vulnerabilities, but third-party add-ons can make things even riskier, introducing dangers like XSS and SQL injections. Before installing any add-on, look beyond the feature list – check the developer’s track record, update history, and community feedback. If an add-on hasn’t been updated in months, it’s a red flag.
Shield Security PRO’s plugin update features could protect you from these risks. For starters, it automatically detects whether a plugin has been abandoned by its developers and alerts you so you don’t find out after the wolves have hacked the Gibson and gotten free rein of the henhouse.
You can also configure it to automatically update plugins as soon as possible or delay updates so you can review them yourself first.
Essential steps to secure your Elementor-powered website
Securing an Elementor-powered website requires a mix of Elementor-specific practices and broader WordPress security measures. Given Elementor’s popularity and widespread use, vulnerabilities like the CVE-2023-3124 privilege escalation issue show how important it is to stay on top of updates.
The most fundamental step? Keep Elementor and all its add-ons up to date.
Outdated versions create potential entry points for hackers, particularly when known vulnerabilities are left unpatched. Regularly updating ensures you’re protected from newly discovered threats, including privilege escalation risks and XSS vulnerabilities.
Next, strengthen user authentication. Elementor’s Role Manager is a great starting point – limiting edit permissions to only those who need them minimises the risk of unauthorised changes. Combine this with Shield Security PRO’s advanced password policies and user session management to secure your users’ accounts further.
When it comes to Elementor form submissions, ensure you’re preventing XSS attacks by sanitising inputs and limiting where form data can be submitted. Shield Security PRO’s DIY/Custom Security Rules can be tailored to guard against specific threats like these, giving you granular control over your security setup.
Also, with Shield’s silentCAPTCHA feature active on Element Forms, you can block all forms submissions by bots, reducing exposure to attempts to infiltrate your site through malicious data upload.
Another often overlooked step is disabling features you’re not using. This reduces your attack surface, making it harder for bad actors to exploit unused components. Don’t forget to explore Elementor’s built-in security features; disabling file uploads for non-admins or enabling anti-spam measures on forms are easy ways to add protection.
Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF), schedule regular backups, and run malware scans. Shield Security PRO’s MAL{ai} engine detects hidden PHP malware by analysing code patterns and uncovering threats that traditional scanners often miss, ensuring protection against even the most obscure dangers.
How Shield Security PRO safeguards against threats
Shield Security PRO offers an antifragile defence by continuously learning from attacks across its network. Rather than just resisting threats, it grows stronger and more adaptive with each new wave of vulnerabilities, including those found in Elementor, ensuring proactive and resilient protection.
When Elementor vulnerabilities allow malicious code injections, its malware scanner kicks in. Its MAL{ai} engine scans deeply for PHP malware, detecting and removing hidden or obfuscated threats that might bypass basic security tools. This ensures that even if malicious actors exploit Elementor vulnerabilities, the injected code doesn’t remain undetected.
The firewall blocks malicious requests before they can exploit weaknesses in Elementor. It analyses traffic in real time, filtering out suspicious activity that attempts to target known Elementor vulnerabilities like privilege escalation or XSS attacks.
Equally important is the user management system, which enforces strong password policies and monitors session activity. This is crucial for Elementor, as many vulnerabilities require contributor-level access. Limiting unauthorised access and enforcing secure login practices allows the plugin to minimise the risk posed by these types of attacks.
Shield Security PRO also shines when it comes to automated bots, which are often programmed to exploit known vulnerabilities in plugins like Elementor. Its bot detection and deterrent measures prevent these attacks from ever reaching your site.
Strengthen your Elementor and overall WordPress site security today!
For anyone running an Elementor-powered website, proactive security measures are non-negotiable. Strong password policies help mitigate the risks associated with privilege escalation vulnerabilities, while regularly auditing user permissions prevents access control exploits. Custom security rules let you defend against specific attack vectors targeting Elementor, and advanced malware detection ensures that potential threats are caught and removed before causing harm.
Shield Security PRO provides a comprehensive solution, offering DIY/Custom Security Rules, advanced password policies to secure user accounts, and the ability to learn from emerging threats across its network. Its user session management feature further helps identify suspicious activity.
If you’re serious about securing your Elementor site, download Shield Security PRO today and find out how you can stay ahead of evolving threats.
