Nombre del complemento	Type of Vulnerability	CVE Number	Urgencia	CVE Publish Date	Source URL
Element Pack	Secuencias de comandos entre sitios (XSS)	CVE-2025-8100	Bajo	2025-08-05	View Details

Critical XSS Vulnerability Found in Element Pack Elementor Addons Plugin: What WordPress Users Must Know

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, making it a highly lucrative target for attackers. While the WordPress core is constantly evolving with a strong focus on security, vulnerabilities in themes and plugins remain the top attack vector. Most security incidents stem from third-party extensions due to their sheer volume and varying quality standards.

Recently, a noteworthy security flaw was disclosed concerning the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin (version ≤ 8.1.5) — a popular plugin used to enhance Elementor page builder with multiple widgets and features. This vulnerability allows contributors with authenticated access to store malicious scripts, which can then be executed when other users visit affected pages. In the cybersecurity world, this classifies as a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

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What Is the Underlying Vulnerability?

The vulnerability specifically targets the Open Street Map Widget’s Marker Content feature in the Element Pack plugin. Here’s how the issue unfolds:

• User Role Access: Any authenticated user with at least Contributor privileges.
• Attack Vector: Contributors can add or edit content in the Open Street Map markers.
• Tipo de vulnerabilidad: Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
• Mechanism: Malicious JavaScript or HTML payloads injected into marker content get stored in the site’s database.
• Impacto: When other users visit pages rendering these maps, the malicious script executes in their browsers.

Understanding Stored XSS in This Context

Stored XSS is a class of vulnerability wherein malicious code is permanently saved on the server (e.g., database) and delivered to users later. Unlike reflected XSS, which is triggered via user-supplied input in URLs or forms, stored XSS can silently compromise visitors, site admins, or editors.

Since contributors are usually trusted users with publishing capabilities, an attacker exploiting this flaw could:

• Redirect users to malicious sites.
• Steal cookies/session tokens.
• Execute unwanted actions disguised as legitimate users.
• Inject phishing UI overlays.

While contributors may seem less privileged than editors or administrators, stored XSS targeting this user role remains a significant risk.

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Potential Risks and Severity Explained

The current vulnerability was assigned a CVSS v3 score of 6.5 and rated Low Priority by the disclosure source, placing it in the moderate risk category. This rating factors in:

• Required Privileges: Attackers need at least Contributor access, reducing the attack surface.
• Alcance del impacto: While not remotely exploitable by unauthenticated users, it still permits malicious code embedding that affects site visitors.
• Complexity: Exploitation is straightforward for insiders or compromised contributor accounts.

However, in multi-author blogs or sites that permit external contributors (freelancers, advertisers, etc.), this opens a pathway for unauthorized script injection.

It’s also worth remembering that:

XSS vulnerabilities, no matter how “low risk,” are a common gateway to more severe attacks, including malware injection, privilege escalation, and site defacement.

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How This Vulnerability Manifests on Your Website

The malicious payload usually affects the Open Street Map widget’s marker content element, which plugin users embed on their pages to display locations or points of interests. If an attacker injects code here, the following scenarios could occur:

• Visitors to the page receive the script in their browsers, compromising their sessions.
• The site’s reputation and SEO rankings could plummet due to malicious content distribution.
• Administrators may unknowingly propagate the malicious payload, especially if they view the contaminated elements in backend panels.
• It could serve as a launchpad for phishing or credential-stealing campaigns.

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Immediate Mitigation: Update to Version 8.1.6 or Later

The plugin developer promptly addressed this issue in Element Pack Elementor Addons Plugin version 8.1.6. Updating is the most straightforward step:

• Update your plugin to version 8.1.6 or later.
• Make sure all contributors are authenticated and trustworthy.
• Audit existing marker contents or map widgets for suspicious scripts.

If you manage multiple WordPress installations or large networks, make patch management a priority to reduce the window of exposure.

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Why This Relatively “Low Priority” Vulnerability Still Demands Attention

Some site owners might dismiss this alert because it requires authenticated contributor access or the CVSS score is moderate. However:

• Contributor accounts can be compromised via credential leaks, phishing, or brute-force.
• Multisite WordPress networks, membership sites, or communities rely heavily on contributor roles.
• Stored XSS provides persistence — malicious scripts remain until manually removed or the vulnerability patched.
• Attackers often chain vulnerabilities; XSS can act as a foothold for more advanced intrusions.

Therefore, ignoring this kind of vulnerability invites unnecessary risks.

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Enhancing Your WordPress Site Security Beyond Plugin Updates

Simply updating a vulnerable plugin is critical but not always enough. Consider augmenting your security with layered defenses:

1. Restrict User Roles and Capabilities

• Only assign contributor roles where absolutely necessary.
• Periodically review and audit user roles.
• Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for all users, particularly contributors and above.

2. Continuous Vulnerability Monitoring

• Use tools capable of monitoring plugin, theme, and core vulnerabilities.
• Subscribe to vulnerability databases and alerts tailored to your WordPress ecosystem.
• Prioritize patching based on severity and exposure.

3. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

• Deploy a WordPress Web Application Firewall that detects and blocks XSS and other malicious payloads.
• WAFs can provide parcheo virtual — mitigating risks instantly, often before official vendor patches arrive.
• They monitor incoming requests and sanitize any suspicious inputs.

4. Malware Scanning and Incident Response

• Schedule regular malware scans.
• Establish protocols to audit suspicious code and backdoors.
• If you suspect compromise, engage forensic specialists to conduct incident response.

5. Educate Your Contributors

• Train contributor-level users to recognize phishing and malicious content.
• Encourage reporting of anomalies or suspicious behavior.

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Securing the Open Street Map Widget: A Use Case in Sanitation and Access Control

Since the vulnerability hinges on the Open Street Map widget’s marker content, focus on how this area is sanitized:

• Ensure all inputs in map widgets escape or filter HTML and JavaScript.
• Use strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict script execution from untrusted sources.
• Limit map marker editing rights to trusted users only.
• Validate markers’ data on both server and client-side.

These best practices minimize risks of similar DOM-based or stored XSS attacks.

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How WP-Firewall Helps You Stay Ahead of These Threats

Our WordPress firewall and security solution is designed with a proactive approach to safeguard your websites from vulnerabilities like the Element Pack stored XSS flaw.

• Real-Time Patching: Even if plugin patching lags, our virtual patching ensures immediate mitigation.
• Comprehensive WAF Rules: Automatically block XSS payloads targeting plugin input fields, including map widgets.
• User Behavior Monitoring: Alert on suspicious changes made by contributors or any unexpected user actions.
• Escaneo de malware: Detect malicious payloads injected by attackers quickly and accurately.
• Zero-Trust Access Controls: Integrate with two-factor authentication to minimize risks from compromised accounts.

By combining these features, WP-Firewall limits your attack surface and preserves your website integrity.

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Debunking Common Misconceptions About WordPress Vulnerabilities

• “My site is small; no one will attack me.”
  Attackers use automated bots targeting millions of sites indiscriminately. No website is too small to be exploited.
• “Only admin users can cause damage.”
  Contributor and editor roles can still inject harmful content, especially through XSS and similar attack vectors.
• “I have antivirus running on my computer; I’m safe.”
  Client-side antivirus does nothing to block server-side attacks or malicious scripts loaded on your website.
• “I updated everything, so I’m 100% safe.”
  While updates reduce vulnerability exposure, zero-day and unpatched vulnerabilities exist. Layers of defense are a must.

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Trust But Verify: Continuous Security Posture Assessment

Security is not a “set and forget” task. Regularly:

• Review installed plugins and themes.
• Remove unused or abandoned plugins.
• Monitor access logs for unusual contributor behavior.
• Use your firewall’s reporting tools to spot vulnerabilities and threats.
• Engage professional security experts for audits and penetration testing when possible.

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The Bottom Line: Timely Action Prevents Costly Breaches

The recently disclosed stored XSS vulnerability in Element Pack Elementor Addons should be taken seriously by all WordPress site owners and administrators. While the immediate risk is considered low, the consequences of exploitation — data theft, site defacement, SEO penalties — can be severe.

Updating the plugin is mandatory. But bolstering your defense with a hardened firewall, vigilant user management, and ongoing monitoring is the key to sustainable WordPress security.

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Secure Your WordPress Site Risk-Free — Start with WP-Firewall’s Free Plan Today

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Further Reading and Resources

• Understand the consequences of Cross-Site Scripting: OWASP XSS Guide
• Best practices for WordPress user roles and permissions.
• How to implement Content Security Policy for WordPress.

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Stay vigilant, keep your plugins updated, and layer your WordPress security defenses. A safe website is a successful website.

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This post is brought to you by the WP-Firewall Security Team, dedicated to making WordPress a safer platform for all.

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Note: The information in this article reflects the vulnerability disclosure as of August 2025. Always check plugin developer announcements for the latest updates.