📄 Description (English)
The Avada (Fusion) Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary WordPress Action Execution in all versions up to, and including, 3.15.1. This is due to the plugin's `output_action_hook()` function accepting user-controlled input to trigger any registered WordPress action hook without proper authorization checks. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to execute arbitrary WordPress action hooks via the Dynamic Data feature, potentially leading to privilege escalation, file inclusion, denial of service, or other security impacts depending on which action hooks are available in the WordPress installation.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
The Avada (Fusion) Builder WordPress plugin (versions ≤3.15.1) contains an arbitrary WordPress action execution vulnerability allowing authenticated subscribers to trigger any registered action hook without authorization. This could enable privilege escalation, file inclusion, or denial of service attacks. No patch is currently available, requiring immediate mitigation strategies for affected Saudi organizations.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 26, 2026 12:39
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily affects Saudi e-commerce, digital marketing agencies, and government websites using WordPress with Avada Builder. High-risk sectors include: (1) Banking/SAMA-regulated fintech platforms using WordPress for customer portals; (2) Government/NCA digital transformation initiatives; (3) Healthcare providers with WordPress-based patient information systems; (4) Telecom/STC subsidiary digital services; (5) Retail and e-commerce platforms. The vulnerability's reliance on subscriber-level access makes internal threats and compromised accounts particularly dangerous in Saudi organizations with multiple content creators.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
E-commerce and Retail
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare
Telecommunications
Digital Marketing Agencies
Media and Publishing
Education
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1548 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (privilege escalation via action hooks)
T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter (arbitrary action execution)
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (WordPress plugin vulnerability)
T1199 - Trusted Relationship (leveraging subscriber accounts)
T1566 - Phishing (social engineering to gain subscriber access)
T1021 - Remote Services (lateral movement via compromised accounts)
T1070 - Indicator Removal (log tampering via action hooks)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Audit all WordPress installations using Avada Builder plugin versions ≤3.15.1 across your organization
2. Disable the Dynamic Data feature in Avada Builder settings immediately as a temporary measure
3. Restrict Subscriber and Contributor role capabilities using role management plugins (e.g., User Role Editor) to prevent action hook execution
4. Review WordPress user accounts and remove unnecessary Subscriber/Contributor access
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
5. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect suspicious action hook parameters in POST requests
6. Deploy WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with real-time monitoring for unauthorized action execution
7. Enable WordPress debug logging to monitor action hook execution patterns
8. Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit dynamic code execution
9. Use WordPress capability plugins to granularly restrict which hooks authenticated users can trigger
DETECTION RULES:
10. Monitor WordPress logs for POST requests containing 'action=' parameters from non-admin users
11. Alert on execution of sensitive hooks: wp_ajax_*, wp_loaded, init, admin_init
12. Track database modifications initiated by Subscriber-level accounts
13. Monitor file system changes triggered by WordPress action hooks
PATCHING STRATEGY:
14. Contact Avada/Fusion support for security patch timeline
15. Plan immediate upgrade to patched version once available
16. Consider alternative page builders (Elementor, Divi) if patch timeline is extended
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم مكون Avada Builder الإصدارات ≤3.15.1 عبر مؤسستك
2. تعطيل ميزة البيانات الديناميكية في إعدادات Avada Builder فوراً كإجراء مؤقت
3. تقييد قدرات دور المشترك والمساهم باستخدام مكونات إدارة الأدوار (مثل User Role Editor) لمنع تنفيذ خطاف الإجراء
4. مراجعة حسابات مستخدمي WordPress وإزالة الوصول غير الضروري للمشترك/المساهم
الضوابط التعويضية:
5. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) للكشف عن معاملات خطاف الإجراء المريبة في طلبات POST
6. نشر مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) مع المراقبة في الوقت الفعلي لتنفيذ الإجراءات غير المصرح بها
7. تفعيل تسجيل تصحيح أخطاء WordPress لمراقبة أنماط تنفيذ خطاف الإجراء
8. تنفيذ رؤوس سياسة أمان المحتوى (CSP) الصارمة لتحديد تنفيذ الكود الديناميكي
9. استخدام مكونات قدرات WordPress لتقييد الخطافات التي يمكن للمستخدمين المصرح لهم تشغيلها
قواعد الكشف:
10. مراقبة سجلات WordPress لطلبات POST تحتوي على معاملات 'action=' من المستخدمين غير المسؤولين
11. التنبيه على تنفيذ الخطافات الحساسة: wp_ajax_*, wp_loaded, init, admin_init
12. تتبع تعديلات قاعدة البيانات التي يبدأها حسابات على مستوى المشترك
13. مراقبة تغييرات نظام الملفات التي يتم تشغيلها بواسطة خطافات إجراء WordPress
استراتيجية التصحيح:
14. الاتصال بدعم Avada/Fusion للحصول على جدول زمني لتصحيح الأمان
15. التخطيط للترقية الفورية إلى الإصدار المصحح بمجرد توفره
16. النظر في بدائل منشئي الصفحات (Elementor, Divi) إذا تم تمديد الجدول الزمني للتصحيح
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.9.2.1 - User access management and authentication controls
ECC 2024 A.9.4.3 - Password management and access control
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Establishment of information and communication technology (ICT) security policies
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy and procedures
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-2 - Software, platforms, and applications within the organization are inventoried
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Identities and credentials are issued, managed, verified, revoked, and audited for authorized devices/users
SAMA CSF PR.AC-4 - Access is managed based on the principle of least privilege
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Access control
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User endpoint devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Removable media
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 2.1 - Always change vendor-supplied defaults
PCI DSS 6.2 - Ensure that all system components and software are protected from known vulnerabilities
PCI DSS 7.1 - Limit access to system components by business need to know
PCI DSS 8.2 - Ensure proper user identification and authentication
🔗 References & Sources 3