CVE-2021-42546 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the search functionality of WP Cloud Plugins - Use-Your-Drive can lead to a reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack, allowing unauthenticated users to exploit the system.

Understanding CVE-2021-42546

This CVE describes a security issue in the Use-Your-Drive plugin for WordPress, where insufficient input validation in the search feature can be manipulated for a Cross-Site Scripting attack.

What is CVE-2021-42546?

CVE-2021-42546 is a vulnerability in the search function of the Use-Your-Drive plugin that permits unauthenticated users to carry out a reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42546

The vulnerability's impact is rated as MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 4.7, considering low attack complexity and the necessity of user interaction for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42546

This section provides in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the search functionality of Use-Your-Drive plugin allows unauthenticated users to exploit it for a reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Use-Your-Drive
Vendor: WP Cloud Plugins
Versions Affected: < 1.18.3 (unspecified)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Changed
Attack Complexity: Low

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-42546:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the plugin to version 1.18.3 or later.
Avoid using untrusted search queries in the plugin.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and apply security patches for plugins in WordPress.
Educate users about the risks of performing unauthenticated actions on websites.

Patching and Updates

Install the latest version of the Use-Your-Drive plugin to ensure the security fix is in place.