CVE-2021-25036 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-25036, an Authenticated Privilege Escalation vulnerability in the All in One SEO WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-25036

CVE-2021-25036 is a Privilege Escalation vulnerability affecting All in One SEO WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.1.5.3. Detected during an internal audit by Jetpack Scan, it allows unauthorized access to protected REST API endpoints, potentially enabling remote code execution by low-privileged users.

What is CVE-2021-25036?

The vulnerability in All in One SEO WordPress plugin versions before 4.1.5.3 allows attackers to escalate privileges, granting access to restricted REST API endpoints. Exploitation may lead to remote code execution, posing significant security risks to affected websites.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25036

The security flaw could empower malicious actors, including subscribers, to breach protected REST API endpoints on vulnerable sites, paving the way for unauthorized remote code execution. This could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25036

The technical aspects of CVE-2021-25036 provide insights into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Privilege Escalation issue in All in One SEO WordPress plugin versions before 4.1.5.3 arises from improper authentication, enabling unauthorized users to access sensitive REST API endpoints and potentially execute malicious code remotely.

Affected Systems and Versions

All in One SEO WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.1.5.3 are impacted by CVE-2021-25036. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to address the security gap and prevent potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the vulnerability, threat actors with low-privileged accounts, like subscribers, can manipulate the REST API endpoints to execute arbitrary code remotely. This unauthorized access poses severe threats to the security and functionality of websites.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2021-25036 involves implementing immediate security measures and establishing long-term practices to enhance overall cybersecurity.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should update the All in One SEO plugin to version 4.1.5.3 or newer to mitigate the Privilege Escalation vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to REST API endpoints.
Users are advised to monitor for any suspicious activities or unauthorized changes post-update to ensure the security of their websites.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits and patch management procedures are vital to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation.
Educating users on best practices for account privileges and access control can strengthen the overall security posture and mitigate potential threats effectively.

Patching and Updates

Timely installation of security patches and updates provided by plugin developers is crucial to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-25036.
Organizations should stay informed about security advisories and actively engage in updating their systems to bolster defense mechanisms against evolving cyber threats.