CVE-2021-24304 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Newsmag WordPress theme before version 5.0 is affected by an unauthenticated Reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability due to unsanitized input parameters. This vulnerability, tracked as CWE-79, allows attackers to execute malicious scripts on the victim's browser.

Understanding CVE-2021-24304

This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-24304.

What is CVE-2021-24304?

The Newsmag WordPress theme version < 5.0 is susceptible to unauthenticated Reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) attacks. Exploiting this vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts on the victim's browser.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24304

The unauthenticated Reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Newsmag < 5.0 can result in attackers executing arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to cookie theft, session hijacking, and other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24304

Let's delve deeper into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the Newsmag WordPress theme's failure to properly sanitize the td_block_id parameter in its td_ajax_block AJAX action, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Newsmag theme versions prior to 5.0 are impacted by this security flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting crafted code into the vulnerable parameter, which gets executed when a user visits a page containing the malicious payload.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2021-24304 requires immediate actions to reduce the risk of exploitation and ensure long-term security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Newsmag theme to version 5.0 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) to filter and monitor malicious traffic.
Educate users about potential phishing attempts and suspicious links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update themes and plugins to patch known security issues.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Monitor security mailing lists and websites for updates on WordPress vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by theme developers and apply them promptly to secure your WordPress website.