CVE-2021-4359 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been identified in the Frontend File Manager Plugin for WordPress, allowing unauthenticated attackers to delete posts and pages on a site. Below is a detailed overview of CVE-2021-4359.

Understanding CVE-2021-4359

This section provides insights into what CVE-2021-4359 is and its impact.

What is CVE-2021-4359?

The Frontend File Manager Plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Unauthenticated Arbitrary Post Deletion in versions up to and including 18.2 due to authentication vulnerabilities and the absence of security nonce on the wpfm_delete_file action, enabling unauthorized deletion of posts and pages.

The Impact of CVE-2021-4359

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.5, allowing unauthenticated attackers to remove critical content from a WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-4359

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw stems from missing authorization controls, permitting unauthenticated users to delete posts and pages without proper verification.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Frontend File Manager Plugin versions up to and including 18.2 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the absence of authentication safeguards and security nonce, attackers can exploit the wpfm_delete_file action to delete posts and pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to protect your WordPress site from CVE-2021-4359.

Immediate Steps to Take

Site owners should update the Frontend File Manager Plugin to version 18.3 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust authentication mechanisms and security nonces to prevent unauthorized actions on your WordPress site.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update plugins and maintain vigilance against potential security threats.