CVE-2025-48288 Overview
CVE-2025-48288 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ElementInvader Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.3.5. An authenticated contributor-level user can inject malicious scripts that persist in web page output and execute in visitors' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 for improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a limited scope but crosses the security boundary between plugin content and site users.
Critical Impact
Stored XSS in ElementInvader Addons for Elementor allows authenticated users to inject persistent JavaScript that executes in the context of site visitors and administrators.
Affected Products
- ElementInvader Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin
- All versions from initial release through 1.3.5
- WordPress sites using the plugin with Elementor page builder
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-19 - CVE CVE-2025-48288 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48288
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization within the ElementInvader Addons for Elementor plugin. User-supplied content is stored in the WordPress database and later rendered in web pages without proper output encoding. When another user loads the affected page, the injected script executes in their browser context.
Stored XSS is more damaging than reflected XSS because the payload persists on the server. Every visitor to the affected page becomes a target without any social engineering required. The attacker can steal session cookies, hijack administrator sessions, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Exploitation requires authenticated access with low privileges and user interaction to trigger the payload. The scope change indicates that impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to other site users, including administrators.
Root Cause
The plugin fails to neutralize special characters in user input before rendering them in the HTML output. Widget or shortcode parameters processed by the plugin are stored without sanitization functions such as wp_kses_post() or sanitize_text_field(). When the page renders, the raw input is embedded directly into the DOM.
Attack Vector
An attacker with contributor-level or higher access injects a malicious payload through a plugin widget field. The payload persists in the WordPress database as post meta or widget content. When any user, including administrators, views the affected page, the browser parses and executes the injected JavaScript. This can lead to account takeover, defacement, or malware distribution through the compromised site.
No verified public exploit code is available. Refer to the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48288
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script> tags, event handlers such as onerror= or onload=, or javascript: URIs stored in wp_postmeta or wp_options tables
- Outbound requests from visitor browsers to unfamiliar domains after loading pages built with ElementInvader widgets
- New administrator accounts or unexpected changes to user roles following contributor activity
- Modified plugin files or unauthorized changes to widget configurations
Detection Strategies
- Scan WordPress database rows containing ElementInvader widget data for HTML tags and JavaScript keywords
- Monitor web server access logs for POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and /wp-admin/post.php from contributor accounts
- Review browser Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports for inline script executions on plugin-rendered pages
- Compare plugin version reported by wp-cli against the fixed release to identify vulnerable installations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to track content edits by low-privilege users
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules targeting stored XSS patterns in plugin endpoints
- Alert on privilege escalation events and creation of new administrator accounts
- Baseline outbound network traffic from web browsers accessing the site to detect credential exfiltration
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48288
Immediate Actions Required
- Update ElementInvader Addons for Elementor to a version later than 1.3.5 as soon as the vendor publishes a patched release
- Audit contributor, author, and editor accounts and remove unnecessary or inactive users
- Review existing plugin widgets for suspicious content and remove any injected scripts
- Force password resets for administrator accounts if suspicious contributor activity is detected
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version is confirmed in the CVE record beyond the affected range through 1.3.5. Check the Patchstack advisory and the plugin's WordPress.org page for the latest patched release.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the ElementInvader Addons for Elementor plugin until a patched version is installed
- Restrict content publishing permissions so only trusted users hold contributor or higher roles
- Deploy a WAF with virtual patching to block XSS payloads targeting the plugin's AJAX and REST endpoints
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and untrusted script sources
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.