CVE-2021-24201 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-24201 impacting Elementor < 3.1.2 WordPress plugin. Understand the XSS vulnerability, impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Elementor < 3.1.2 - Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in Column Element
Understanding CVE-2021-24201
A vulnerability was found in the Elementor Website Builder WordPress plugin before version 3.1.4, which allowed users with Contributor or above permissions to execute malicious JavaScript code through the 'html_tag' parameter in the column element.
What is CVE-2021-24201?
In Elementor Website Builder plugin before 3.1.4, a lack of input validation in the 'html_tag' parameter of the column element allowed for Cross-site Scripting (XSS) attacks. An attacker could inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code on the affected site.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24201
This vulnerability could be exploited by an authenticated attacker with Contributor or higher privileges to inject malicious scripts, leading to potential data theft, defacement, or unauthorized actions on the site.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24201
The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization in the 'html_tag' parameter of the Elementor column element.
Vulnerability Description
The column element in Elementor Website Builder does not properly filter the 'html_tag' parameter, allowing an authenticated user to inject malicious JavaScript code.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Elementor Website Builder
- Versions Affected: < 3.1.4
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker with Contributor or above permissions can send a modified 'save_builder' request with JavaScript in the 'html_tag' parameter, which gets executed without filtering when the page is viewed.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to take immediate remediation steps to secure the affected systems and prevent further exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Elementor Website Builder to version 3.1.4 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Consider restricting access to trusted users only until the patch is applied.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update plugins and themes to the latest versions to address security issues promptly.
- Implement least privilege access control to limit the impact of potential vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure consistent monitoring for security updates and apply patches promptly to protect the website from known vulnerabilities.