CVE-2024-13345: Avada Builder RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-13345 Overview

The Avada Builder plugin for WordPress contains an arbitrary shortcode execution vulnerability in all versions up to and including 3.11.13. This vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input before passing it to the do_shortcode function. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes, potentially leading to complete site compromise.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary shortcodes on vulnerable WordPress installations, potentially leading to remote code execution, data theft, or complete site takeover.

Affected Products

• Theme-fusion Avada Builder versions up to and including 3.11.13
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Avada Builder versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-02-13 - CVE-2024-13345 published to NVD
• 2025-04-14 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-13345

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-13345 is classified as a Code Injection vulnerability (CWE-94). The vulnerability exists in the Avada Builder plugin's handling of user-controlled input that is passed directly to WordPress's do_shortcode() function without proper validation or sanitization. This architectural flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary shortcodes.

WordPress shortcodes are powerful macros that can execute PHP code, interact with the database, include files, and perform various privileged operations. When an attacker can inject arbitrary shortcodes, they gain the ability to leverage any registered shortcode on the system, including those from other plugins that may provide file operations, database queries, or code execution capabilities.

The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, meaning any external attacker can exploit this vulnerability without needing valid credentials or prior access to the WordPress installation.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of input validation before executing the do_shortcode function. The plugin accepts user-supplied data and processes it through WordPress's shortcode parser without verifying that the input contains only expected or safe values. This violates the principle of least privilege and allows untrusted input to trigger privileged operations.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing shortcode syntax that the vulnerable action handler will process and execute. The attack requires no user interaction and can be automated for mass exploitation.

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to:

• Execute arbitrary PHP code if code execution shortcodes are available
• Read sensitive files from the server
• Modify database content
• Create administrative user accounts
• Install backdoors or web shells
• Pivot to other systems on the network

The vulnerability mechanism involves sending crafted input to the affected endpoint that contains shortcode syntax (e.g., [shortcode_name]). The vulnerable code path passes this input to do_shortcode() which parses and executes any valid shortcode tags found in the input. For detailed technical information, refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-13345

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected shortcode execution in WordPress access logs
• Unusual POST requests to Avada Builder AJAX endpoints containing bracket characters ([ and ])
• Creation of new administrator accounts without legitimate activity
• Unexpected file modifications in WordPress directories
• Anomalous database queries or content modifications

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall logs for requests containing shortcode patterns targeting Avada Builder endpoints
• Implement log analysis for unusual patterns of unauthenticated requests to WordPress AJAX handlers
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to WordPress core files, themes, or plugins
• Review WordPress user accounts regularly for unauthorized administrative accounts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed WordPress logging and forward logs to a SIEM for correlation analysis
• Configure alerting for failed or suspicious authentication attempts following Avada Builder requests
• Implement network monitoring to detect data exfiltration attempts from WordPress servers
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions on WordPress hosting infrastructure

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-13345

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Avada Builder plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• Review WordPress access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Audit administrative user accounts and remove any unauthorized accounts
• Scan WordPress installation for web shells or backdoors using security plugins
• Consider temporarily disabling the Avada Builder plugin if immediate patching is not possible

Patch Information

Theme-fusion has released a security update addressing this vulnerability. Administrators should update to a version newer than 3.11.13. Detailed changelog information is available in the Avada Documentation Changelog. The Wordfence Vulnerability Report provides additional technical details and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block requests containing shortcode patterns to Avada Builder endpoints
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and AJAX endpoints using IP-based access controls where feasible
• Disable the Avada Builder plugin temporarily until patching can be completed
• Enable WordPress automatic updates for plugins to receive security patches promptly

# WordPress CLI command to update Avada Builder plugin
wp plugin update avada-builder --allow-root

# Verify current plugin version
wp plugin list --name=avada-builder --fields=name,version,update_version

# Check for suspicious admin accounts
wp user list --role=administrator --fields=ID,user_login,user_email,user_registered