CVE-2021-24689 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24689, a vulnerability found in the Contact Forms - Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24689

CVE-2021-24689 is a security flaw in the Contact Forms - Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder plugin that allows high privilege users to perform a path traversal attack and download arbitrary files from the web server.

What is CVE-2021-24689?

The Contact Forms - Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder plugin version 1.0.5 and below are affected by CVE-2021-24689, enabling attackers with elevated privileges to access sensitive files through improper limitation of directory paths.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24689

This vulnerability poses a significant risk as attackers can exploit it to retrieve sensitive data from the web server, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24689

The technical details of CVE-2021-24689 involve a path traversal vulnerability that affects the Contact Forms - Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder plugin.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2021-24689 allows attackers with high privilege levels to bypass directory restrictions and download arbitrary files from the server via a path traversal attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Contact Forms - Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder plugin versions up to and including 1.0.5 are vulnerable to CVE-2021-24689, impacting WordPress websites that utilize this plugin.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves manipulating file paths to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data retrieval.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24689, users should take immediate action and implement security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Contact Forms - Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder plugin to the latest version and restrict access to sensitive directories on the server.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict file access controls, conducting regular security audits, and monitoring file integrity can help prevent path traversal attacks and similar security threats.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to stay updated on security patches released by plugin developers and promptly apply them to ensure the protection of WordPress websites.