Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Elementor Pro vulnerability CVE-2023-3124 was reported as actively exploited in April 2023. It affected versions through 3.11.6 and could let an authenticated user with subscriber-level capabilities change site options. Version 3.11.7 was the first release identified as fixing this flaw, but it is an outdated release threshold—not a safe target today. Update Elementor Pro to the latest release available through a trusted channel, and investigate any signs of unauthorized site changes.

What was the Elementor Pro vulnerability?

CVE-2023-3124 was an authorization flaw in Elementor Pro’s update_page_option function. The function lacked a capability check, allowing an authenticated attacker with subscriber-level capabilities or higher to update arbitrary site options. The GitHub Advisory Database assigns the vulnerability a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (High). GitHub Advisory Database: CVE-2023-3124.

Changing site options could enable privilege escalation and other harmful changes. Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency said an attacker could redirect visitors to malicious domains or upload backdoors. It also warned that, when WooCommerce was installed, an authenticated user such as a customer or site member could change settings and potentially take over the site. Singapore Cyber Security Agency alert, 1 April 2023.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Which Elementor Pro versions were affected?

Versions through and including 3.11.6 were affected. Version 3.11.7 was the historical first patched release identified by Wordfence and the University of Michigan. Wordfence vulnerability record; University of Michigan Safe Computing alert, 3 April 2023.

#1 Best Overall
Yubico - Security Key C NFC - Basic Compatibility - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey, Connect via USB-C or NFC, FIDO Certified
  • POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
  • WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
  • FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
  • TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
  • BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.

If your site still runs 3.11.6 or earlier, it is within the affected range. If it runs 3.11.7 or later, that addresses this documented flaw, but 3.11.7 is not a current general security recommendation: later releases may contain fixes for other vulnerabilities. Check your installed version in WordPress and update to the latest release applicable to your site.

Was CVE-2023-3124 actively exploited?

Yes. Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency reported active exploitation on 1 April 2023, and the University of Michigan issued a similar warning on 3 April 2023. These are historical reports; they establish exploitation at that time, not current attack activity for this specific CVE.

Rank #2
Cryptnox FIDO2 Security Key with MIFARE DESFire NFC Smart Card for 2FA MFA
  • HARDWARE 2FA AND MFA: FIDO Alliance Certified FIDO2 v2.1 with CTAP2 plus legacy U2F and CTAP1 for strong two-factor login and passwordless sign-in on services that support security keys
  • BUILDING ACCESS ON ONE CARD: MIFARE DESFire EV2 4K applet with AES encryption adds office door and physical access control alongside digital authentication
  • CERTIFIED SECURE ELEMENT: An NXP Common Criteria EAL6+ certified secure controller and Java Card platform protects your keys on a tamper-resistant chip
  • DUAL INTERFACE SMART CARD: Contactless NFC ISO 14443 plus ISO 7816 contact reader support in an ISO 7810 ID-1 format that is passive and needs no battery
  • SWISS ENGINEERED DESIGN: Built by Cryptnox as a single card for authentication and access control and backed by a 2 year warranty

Could a subscriber or WooCommerce customer hack a site?

The flaw required authentication, so the reports do not describe an unauthenticated visitor exploiting it. The vulnerable function could be reached by an authenticated attacker with subscriber-level capabilities or higher. The Cyber Security Agency specifically warned that, on sites also running WooCommerce, an authenticated customer or member could change settings and potentially take over the site. The University of Michigan said a site user could create an administrator account in that WooCommerce context.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Having WooCommerce installed does not by itself show that a site was compromised. The risk described was conditional on the vulnerable Elementor Pro version and an attacker having an account with the required access.

Rank #3
Sale
Thetis Nano-A FIDO2 Security Key Hardware Passkey Device with USB Type A, TOTP/HOTP, FIDO2.0 Two Factor Authentication 2FA MFA, Works with Windows/mac/iOS/Android/Linux/Gmail/Facebook/GitHub/Coinbase
  • Ultra-Compact FIDO2 Security Key - Plug-and-stay or carry on a keychain. This USB-A hardware security key offers portable, always-on protection for desktop and mobile use. (Item Size: 0.75 X 0.74 IN x 0.25 IN)
  • USB-A Hardware Key for All Devices - Works with USB-A ports on PC, Mac, Android, and other laptop/notebook device. Enables secure, cross-platform login with FIDO2.0 passkey support.
  • FIDO Certified Security Key - Meets FIDO and FIDO2 standards. Works with Google, Microsoft, GitHub, Dropbox, and more. Please check service compatibility before purchase.
  • Passwordless Login with Passkey - Supports passkey login via WebAuthn and CTAP2. Enjoy password-free sign-ins where supported. Not all websites or services currently support passkeys.
  • Advanced Multi-Factor Authentication - Offers 200 FIDO2 passkey slots and 50 OATH-TOTP slots. Strong, flexible 2FA/MFA support across various apps and authentication platforms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to protect an Elementor Pro site

  1. Check the installed version. In WordPress, open the Plugins page and find Elementor Pro. Compare its version with the affected threshold: 3.11.6 and earlier.
  2. Update through a trusted channel. Install the latest release applicable to your site using the normal trusted update channel. Do not stop at 3.11.7 simply because it was the first version that patched CVE-2023-3124.
  3. Disable or remove the plugin if it is not needed. The University of Michigan’s alert recommended updating or disabling/removing Elementor Pro when it was unnecessary.
  4. Review signs of unauthorized changes. Pay attention to unfamiliar administrator accounts, unexpected redirects, or suspected backdoors. An update addresses the documented software flaw; it does not establish whether an attacker already changed your site.
  5. Escalate suspected compromise. If you find unauthorized accounts, redirects, or backdoors, contact your hosting provider or a qualified incident responder. The cited alerts do not provide a complete forensic checklist, so avoid treating a plugin update alone as incident cleanup.

The Cyber Security Agency’s 1 April 2023 alert advised users and administrators of affected versions to “update to the latest version immediately.” Its version threshold is historical; follow the current update channel rather than installing an old release based on that alert.

Rank #4
FIDO2 U2F Security Key Passkey Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) USB Key PIN+Touch (Non-Biometric) USB-A Type TrustKey T110
  • Security Key : Protect your online accounts against unauthorized access by using FIDO2 and U2F authentication with T110. It's the world's most protective security key that works with windows, Mac OS, Linux as well as Chrome, Firefox, Edge and many other major browsers.
  • Certified with the new FIDO2 standard, T110 provides the benefit of fast login and strong protection against phishing, account takeover as well as many other online attactks.
  • Works with : Bank of America, Github, Google, Microsoft, DUO, Twitter, Facebook, Dropbox, Apple, ebay, BINANCE, mor and more.
  • Fits USB-A port : Insert the T110 security key into the USB-A port of each service and log in conveniently with one touch
  • For the driver download and user guide, please visit TrustKey Solutions Home support page.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.