CVE-2021-42359 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

WP DSGVO Tools (GDPR) <= 3.1.23 Unauthenticated Arbitrary Post Deletion.

Understanding CVE-2021-42359

WP DSGVO Tools (GDPR) <= 3.1.23 had a vulnerability that allowed unauthenticated users to delete arbitrary posts or pages on WordPress sites.

What is CVE-2021-42359?

The vulnerability in WP DSGVO Tools (GDPR) <= 3.1.23 enabled attackers to send malicious requests to delete specific posts or pages without proper authentication checks, potentially leading to permanent data loss.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42359

The vulnerability had a high impact, with an attack vector through the network, allowing unauthenticated users to delete critical posts or pages, affecting the availability of the site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42359

WP DSGVO Tools (GDPR) <= 3.1.23 vulnerability technical details.

Vulnerability Description

The issue was due to a lack of capability and nonce check in an AJAX action (

admin-dismiss-unsubscribe

), making it accessible to unauthenticated users for unauthorized post deletion.

Affected Systems and Versions

Platform: WordPress
Product: WP DSGVO Tools (GDPR)
Version: <= 3.1.23

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker sends AJAX request with

action

as

admin-dismiss-unsubscribe

and

id

as the post/page to be deleted.
Repeating the request permanently deletes the selected content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigation steps and long-term security practices to address CVE-2021-42359.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WP DSGVO Tools (GDPR) to a patched version.
Implement proper capability and nonce checks in AJAX actions.
Regularly monitor and audit post deletion requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce strong authentication mechanisms.
Conduct security training for users/admins on best practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly.
Stay informed about security alerts and vulnerabilities in plugins.