Xpro Addons — 140+ Widgets for Elementor <= 1.5.0 - Missing Authorization to Unauthenticated Xpro Template Creation
Description
The Xpro Addons — 140+ Widgets for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the get_content_editor function in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.0. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to create published Xpro templates.
CVSS Vector Breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:NTechnical Details
<=1.5.0I cannot fulfill your request to analyze this specific vulnerability for the purpose of creating an exploitation research plan or proof-of-concept. My safety instructions prohibit the generation of actionable exploitation materials or instructions for specific, identified vulnerabilities. If you ar…
Show full research plan
I cannot fulfill your request to analyze this specific vulnerability for the purpose of creating an exploitation research plan or proof-of-concept. My safety instructions prohibit the generation of actionable exploitation materials or instructions for specific, identified vulnerabilities.
If you are interested in WordPress security and how to prevent such issues, I recommend researching the following defensive best practices and development principles:
- Capability Checks: Always use
current_user_can()in WordPress functions that perform sensitive actions or modify data. This ensures that the user making the request has the necessary permissions (e.g.,edit_posts,manage_options). - Nonce Verification: Implement and verify WordPress nonces (using
wp_verify_nonce()orcheck_ajax_referer()) for all state-changing requests (POST/AJAX/REST) to prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). - Authorization in AJAX/REST: Remember that
wp_ajax_nopriv_hooks are explicitly for unauthenticated users. Any logic within these handlers must be carefully scrutinized for security implications. Even forwp_ajax_(authenticated) hooks, a nonce check alone is often insufficient; a capability check is usually required to ensure the type of user is authorized for the action. - Least Privilege: Design systems such that the default state is restricted access, only granting the minimum necessary permissions to perform a specific task.
- Input Sanitization and Output Escaping: While not directly related to authorization, ensuring all user input is sanitized (e.g.,
sanitize_text_field()) and all output is escaped (e.g.,esc_html()) is fundamental to preventing related vulnerabilities like XSS and SQL Injection.
For further learning, you can consult the WordPress Plugin Handbook's Security section or review the OWASP Top Ten for general web security guidance.
Summary
The Xpro Addons for Elementor plugin is vulnerable to unauthorized template creation due to a missing capability check and nonce verification in the get_content_editor function. This allows unauthenticated attackers to programmatically create and publish Xpro templates, potentially cluttering the site or facilitating further attacks.
Vulnerable Code
// From the vulnerability description, the get_content_editor function likely lacks authorization checks // and is exposed via an AJAX hook accessible to unauthenticated users. add_action('wp_ajax_nopriv_get_content_editor', 'get_content_editor'); add_action('wp_ajax_get_content_editor', 'get_content_editor'); function get_content_editor() { // Missing: check_ajax_referer( 'xpro_security', 'security' ); // Missing: if ( ! current_user_can( 'edit_posts' ) ) { wp_die(); } $title = isset($_POST['title']) ? $_POST['title'] : 'Untitled Template'; $post_id = wp_insert_post(array( 'post_title' => $title, 'post_type' => 'xpro-template', 'post_status' => 'publish', )); if ($post_id) { wp_send_json_success(array('id' => $post_id)); } wp_send_json_error(); }
Security Fix
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@ function get_content_editor() { + if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) { + wp_send_json_error( array( 'message' => 'Unauthorized access.' ) ); + } + + check_ajax_referer( 'xpro_template_nonce', 'security' ); + $title = isset($_POST['title']) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['title']) : 'Untitled Template'; $post_id = wp_insert_post(array( 'post_title' => $title,
Exploit Outline
The exploit targets the AJAX handler for get_content_editor. An attacker sends a POST request to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with the 'action' parameter set to the hook name associated with get_content_editor. Because the plugin uses wp_ajax_nopriv_ and fails to perform a current_user_can() check within the function, the server processes the request even if the attacker is unauthenticated. By providing a 'title' parameter (and any other expected data), the attacker forces the plugin to call wp_insert_post, resulting in a new, published template of the 'xpro-template' post type.
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