CVE-2021-24176 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-24176 affecting JH 404 Logger plugin, enabling unauthenticated stored Cross-Site Scripting. Learn about the vulnerability, affected versions, and mitigation measures.
A detailed overview of CVE-2021-24176, highlighting the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
Understanding CVE-2021-24176
In this section, we will delve into the specifics of the CVE-2021-24176 vulnerability affecting the JH 404 Logger WordPress plugin.
What is CVE-2021-24176?
The JH 404 Logger WordPress plugin version <= 1.1 is prone to an unauthenticated stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, enabling the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the WordPress dashboard.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24176
The lack of sanitization of the referer and path of 404 pages in the JH 404 Logger plugin dashboard allows threat actors to execute malicious JavaScript code, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the WordPress site.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24176
This section will provide insight into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs, facilitating the injection of harmful JavaScript code into the WordPress dashboard.
Affected Systems and Versions
The issue impacts JH 404 Logger plugin version 1.1 and below, leaving installations of these versions vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
Exploitation Mechanism
By exploiting the lack of input validation in the referer and path of 404 pages, attackers can craft malicious requests to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code.
Mitigation and Prevention
In this section, we will outline immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-24176.
Immediate Steps to Take
Website administrators are advised to disable or update the JH 404 Logger plugin to a secure version to prevent the execution of arbitrary code.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing robust input validation, regularly monitoring and updating plugins, and staying informed about security vulnerabilities are essential for safeguarding WordPress sites.
Patching and Updates
Developers should promptly release patches addressing the XSS vulnerability in the JH 404 Logger plugin to protect users from potential exploitation.