CVE-2021-24524 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A detailed overview of the GiveWP < 2.12.0 - Authenticated Stored XSS vulnerability affecting the GiveWP Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24524

This section will cover the essential information regarding the authenticated stored XSS vulnerability in the GiveWP plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24524?

The GiveWP Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform WordPress plugin before version 2.12.0 were vulnerable to an authenticated stored XSS flaw. This vulnerability allowed high-privileged users to inject Cross-Site Scripting payloads into the Donation Level setting of Donation Forms.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24524

The presence of this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected application, potentially leading to various security risks such as data theft, account compromise, or unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24524

Let's delve deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24524 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from the insufficient sanitization of user inputs in the Donation Level setting of Donation Forms, which could be exploited by authenticated high-privileged users to insert malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The GiveWP Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.12.0 were impacted by this security flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input validation and escaping mechanisms in the Donation Level setting, attackers with high privileges could craft and execute XSS payloads within the plugin's functionality.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent potential exploitation of the CVE-2021-24524 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the GiveWP plugin to version 2.12.0 or newer to remediate the XSS vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the WordPress site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement consistent security audits, follow secure coding practices, and educate users on identifying and reporting potential security issues to maintain a robust defense against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security patches and updates released by the plugin vendor to address known vulnerabilities and ensure the timely application of fixes.