CVE-2025-60112 Overview
CVE-2025-60112 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the aThemes Addons for Elementor Lite WordPress plugin developed by Syed Balkhi. The flaw affects all versions from initial release through 1.1.2 and is classified under [CWE-79]: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject malicious scripts that persist in the application and execute in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages.
Critical Impact
Authenticated contributors can inject persistent JavaScript that executes against site administrators and visitors, enabling session theft, content manipulation, and privilege escalation workflows.
Affected Products
- aThemes Addons for Elementor Lite (athemes-addons-for-elementor-lite) versions through 1.1.2
- WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin
- Sites permitting low-privileged contributor or editor accounts
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-26 - CVE-2025-60112 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-60112
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability arises because the aThemes Addons for Elementor Lite plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before rendering it into web pages. An attacker with at least contributor-level access can submit crafted payloads through plugin widgets or configuration fields that accept text input. The unsanitized input is stored in the WordPress database and later reflected into the DOM whenever a user loads the affected page or post.
Because the injected script executes in the context of the WordPress site origin, it inherits the privileges of any user who views the content. When a site administrator triggers the payload, the attacker can perform actions on their behalf, including creating new administrator accounts, modifying plugin settings, or exfiltrating session cookies. The scope change reflected in the vulnerability metrics indicates that the impact crosses trust boundaries beyond the vulnerable component itself.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing output encoding and inadequate input validation on plugin fields exposed through the Elementor page builder interface. The plugin renders attacker-controlled strings into HTML contexts without invoking WordPress helpers such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). This allows raw <script> tags and event handler attributes to persist through the storage and rendering pipeline.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress admin interface and a valid low-privileged account. The attacker embeds a JavaScript payload inside a plugin field, saves the content, and waits for a higher-privileged user to view the resulting page. User interaction is required to trigger the payload. See the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for the technical writeup.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-60112
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script> tags, javascript: URIs, or on* event handler attributes stored in wp_posts, wp_postmeta, or plugin option tables
- New WordPress administrator accounts created shortly after contributor-level users edited Elementor content
- Outbound HTTP requests from administrator browsers to unfamiliar domains after loading pages built with the plugin
Detection Strategies
- Query the WordPress database for stored payloads matching XSS patterns in plugin-managed fields
- Review audit logs for content modifications by low-privileged accounts to pages later viewed by administrators
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags script tags submitted through Elementor REST API endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress user role changes and administrator account creation events
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to surface unexpected inline script execution
- Track plugin version inventory across managed WordPress sites to identify installations still running 1.1.2 or earlier
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-60112
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the aThemes Addons for Elementor Lite plugin to a version newer than 1.1.2 as soon as the vendor releases a patched build
- Audit existing Elementor content and plugin settings for stored script payloads and remove any malicious entries
- Rotate credentials and session tokens for administrator accounts that may have viewed compromised pages
Patch Information
A fixed release beyond version 1.1.2 addresses the input sanitization gap. Consult the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for the current patched version and upgrade instructions.
Workarounds
- Restrict contributor, author, and editor accounts to trusted users only until the plugin is upgraded
- Disable or uninstall the aThemes Addons for Elementor Lite plugin if a patched version is not yet deployable
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that blocks inline script execution across the WordPress front end and admin console
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.