CVE-2021-24964 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-24964 on LiteSpeed Cache plugin. Learn about the vulnerability allowing unauthenticated stored XSS attacks via IP check bypass & how to mitigate.
LiteSpeed Cache WordPress plugin before version 4.4.4 is vulnerable to an IP check bypass leading to unauthenticated stored XSS. Attackers can exploit this by making requests to certain endpoints using a specific X-Forwarded-For header value, allowing unauthenticated users to inject XSS payloads into visited pages.
Understanding CVE-2021-24964
This CVE identifies a security flaw in the LiteSpeed Cache WordPress plugin that could result in cross-site scripting attacks due to improper verification of requests.
What is CVE-2021-24964?
The LiteSpeed Cache plugin version prior to 4.4.4 fails to validate requests from QUIC.cloud servers. This oversight enables attackers to access specific endpoints and inject malicious payloads into pages, potentially executing scripts on users' browsers.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24964
The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit IP check bypass to deliver malicious scripts to unsuspecting website visitors, leading to potential data theft or manipulation.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24964
This section covers the specific details of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
LiteSpeed Cache plugin before 4.4.4 neglects to enforce proper validation of server requests, opening the door for unauthenticated users to execute stored XSS attacks.
Affected Systems and Versions
LiteSpeed Cache versions prior to 4.4.4 are impacted by this vulnerability, allowing malicious actors to abuse this flaw.
Exploitation Mechanism
By utilizing a specific X-Forwarded-For header value, attackers can bypass IP checks and inject malicious code into certain endpoints, exploiting settings to execute XSS payloads.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2021-24964 with these security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
Update LiteSpeed Cache to version 4.4.4 immediately to mitigate the risk of IP check bypass and unauthenticated stored XSS attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly monitor and update plugins to the latest versions, conduct security audits, and enhance web application security to prevent similar exploits.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security alerts and CVEs related to your WordPress plugins, and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.