CVE-2021-24442 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

The Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system WordPress plugin before 1.5.3 allows unauthenticated users to perform SQL Injection attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24442

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in the Poll, Survey, Questionnaire, and Voting system plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2021-24442?

The vulnerability in the plugin before version 1.5.3 enables unauthenticated users to execute SQL Injection attacks by manipulating a specific POST parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24442

The impact of this CVE is significant as it can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential compromise of the affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24442

This section covers the technical details regarding the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize, escape, or validate the date_answers[] POST parameter, which is then utilized in an SQL statement, opening the door for SQL Injection attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin prior to 1.5.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of input validation on the date_answers[] POST parameter, malicious actors can inject and execute arbitrary SQL queries.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24442, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin to version 1.5.3 or later to mitigate the risk of SQL Injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and sanitation techniques in WordPress plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and apply patches promptly to safeguard WordPress sites from known vulnerabilities.