WordPress Avada Website Builder Cross-Site Scripting Scanner
Detects 'Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)' vulnerability in WordPress Avada Website Builder affects v. < 7.4.2. This scanner identifies unescaped bbPress search outputs as breadcrumbs, ensuring your web security.
Short Info
Level
High
Single Scan
Single Scan
Can be used by
Asset Owner
Estimated Time
10 seconds
Time Interval
17 days 15 hours
Scan only one
URL
Toolbox
-
WordPress Avada Website Builder is a popular theme used by web developers to create responsive websites. It offers a range of customization options and integrations that allow developers to build professional-looking sites efficiently. The builder is widely used by agencies, freelancers, and businesses looking to establish an online presence. Avada provides various pre-built layouts, design elements, and is compatible with several plugins, enhancing its functionality. Users favor Avada for its user-friendly interface and extensive community support, making it a top choice in the WordPress ecosystem. With this popularity comes a focus on maintaining security to prevent vulnerabilities from affecting its large user base.
The vulnerability identified in the WordPress Avada Website Builder is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). XSS vulnerabilities occur when applications incorrectly handle user input, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a user's browser. In this case, the vulnerability stems from the theme's failure to properly escape bbPress searches before displaying them as breadcrumbs. This improper handling of input presents an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts. XSS can lead to unauthorized actions performed on behalf of a user, including stealing cookies, session hijacking, or redirecting to malicious sites. Such vulnerabilities pose significant risks to both website administrators and users.
The technical aspect of this XSS vulnerability involves the specific endpoint of bbPress search functionality within the Avada theme. The issue arises from the input parameters, which are not adequately sanitized before being rendered on the webpage. This lack of input validation allows an attacker to craft a search input that, when rendered, executes unintended scripts. The vulnerable parameter is typically part of a GET request, where unsanitized input is returned in the HTML as part of the breadcrumbs. This form of reflected XSS is particularly dangerous because it affects users who interact with search functionality without realizing the underlying risk.
Exploiting this vulnerability can have multiple malicious consequences. An attacker could exploit the XSS vulnerability to execute a drive-by-download attack, automatically downloading unwanted software onto a user's device. There is also the potential for information theft, where sensitive user data like login credentials or session tokens are extracted. Additionally, attackers might manipulate the website content to deceive users or completely disrupt site functionality. Consequently, maintaining the integrity of user interactions and data privacy is severely compromised, presenting significant security challenges.
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