CVE-2021-24445 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-24445, a vulnerability in the My Site Audit WordPress plugin version 1.2.4 that allows for authenticated stored cross-site scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24445

CVE-2021-24445 is a security vulnerability in the My Site Audit plugin that enables high-privilege users to insert malicious JavaScript payloads into the Audit Name field, leading to a stored cross-site scripting issue.

What is CVE-2021-24445?

The CVE-2021-24445 vulnerability affects My Site Audit versions up to 1.2.4. It stems from a lack of proper sanitization of user inputs, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24445

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers with elevated privileges to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the application, potentially compromising user data and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24445

The following section outlines key technical details of CVE-2021-24445 to help users understand the vulnerability better.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the plugin's failure to sanitize the Audit Name field, allowing attackers to input JavaScript payloads, leading to a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

My Site Audit version 1.2.4 and below are affected by this vulnerability. Users with these versions are advised to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious JavaScript payloads and inserting them into the Audit Name field, leveraging the lack of input validation to execute unauthorized scripts. This can result in stored cross-site scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24445 and prevent potential exploitation, users are advised to implement the following security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the My Site Audit plugin to the latest version to patch the vulnerability and prevent further exploitation. Additionally, restrict access to privileged accounts to minimize the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establish strict data validation mechanisms within plugins to ensure that user inputs are properly sanitized before processing. Regular security audits and penetration testing can also help identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security updates released by the plugin vendor and apply patches promptly to mitigate emerging threats and secure your WordPress environment.