CVE-2021-24576 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Easy Accordion plugin for WordPress before version 2.0.22 is vulnerable to an Authenticated Stored XSS issue which could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts on the target site.

Understanding CVE-2021-24576

This CVE highlights a security vulnerability in the Easy Accordion WordPress plugin that could be exploited by an authenticated user to inject malicious scripts into the plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24576?

The Easy Accordion WordPress plugin before 2.0.22 fails to properly sanitize inputs, leading to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24576

This vulnerability could be exploited by an authenticated attacker to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially compromising user data or performing unauthorized actions on the target website.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24576

The following details shed light on the technical aspects of this security vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to sanitize user inputs when adding new items to an accordion, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Easy Accordion plugin versions prior to 2.0.22 are affected by this security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, authenticated users can craft malicious payloads to inject XSS payloads into accordions on the website.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect your WordPress site from potential exploitation, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Easy Accordion plugin to version 2.0.22 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within your plugins to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update all plugins and themes to their latest secure versions.
Educate users about safe computing practices and raise awareness about the risks associated with executing arbitrary scripts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by plugin vendors and apply them promptly to enhance the security posture of your WordPress site.