CVE-2021-39343 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-39343, a vulnerability in the MPL-Publisher WordPress plugin that allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting.

Understanding CVE-2021-39343

CVE-2021-39343 is a vulnerability in the MPL-Publisher WordPress plugin that enables attackers with administrative user access to inject arbitrary web scripts due to insufficient input validation and sanitization. This affects versions up to and including 1.30.2.

What is CVE-2021-39343?

The MPL-Publisher WordPress plugin is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts through specific parameters in the ~/libs/PublisherController.php file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39343

This vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (Medium severity), with a low impact on confidentiality and integrity. Attack complexity is low, and no user interaction is required. High privileges are needed for exploitation, and the attack vector is over the network.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39343

CVE-2021-39343 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MPL-Publisher plugin allows stored cross-site scripting due to inadequate input validation and sanitization.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MPL-Publisher
Vendor: MPL-Publisher
Versions Affected: <=1.30.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with administrative user access can exploit this vulnerability to inject arbitrary web scripts in affected versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-39343, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Uninstall the MPL-Publisher plugin from the affected site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Check for security patches or updated versions of the MPL-Publisher plugin to mitigate the risk of stored cross-site scripting.