CVE-2021-24389 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

WordPress plugin WP Foodbakery and FoodBakery theme before version 2.2 are affected by an unauthenticated Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability due to improper sanitization of input data. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-24389

This CVE-2021-24389 affects WP Foodbakery and FoodBakery theme versions prior to 2.2, exposing users to potential XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2021-24389?

The vulnerability in WP Foodbakery and FoodBakery theme allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in victims' browsers, leading to account compromise, data theft, and website defacement.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24389

This XSS vulnerability can be exploited remotely by unauthenticated attackers to trick users into executing malicious scripts unknowingly, posing significant risks to website owners and visitors.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24389

The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper sanitization of the 'foodbakery_radius' parameter in the affected plugins and exposes websites to XSS attacks.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to sanitize user-supplied input, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of the user's browser.

Affected Systems and Versions

WP Foodbakery and FoodBakery theme versions prior to 2.2 are impacted by this vulnerability, making websites using these versions susceptible to XSS exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the XSS vulnerability by crafting malicious links containing the 'foodbakery_radius' parameter, which when clicked by victims, triggers the execution of unauthorized scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate action to protect your website from potential exploitation and secure it against XSS attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WP Foodbakery and FoodBakery theme to version 2.2 or higher to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for any signs of unauthorized access or unusual activities on your website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in your plugins and themes.
Educate your team and users about safe browsing practices and the risks of clicking on unverified links.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by plugin vendors and apply patches promptly to ensure the protection of your website.