CVE-2021-24129 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides details about CVE-2021-24129, a vulnerability in the Themify Portfolio Post WordPress plugin version 1.1.6 and below that allows stored cross-site scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-24129

CVE-2021-24129 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Themify Portfolio Post WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.1.6. This flaw can be exploited by low-privileged users to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into posts containing the Themify Custom Panel.

What is CVE-2021-24129?

CVE-2021-24129 is a security issue in Themify Portfolio Post plugin versions less than 1.1.6 that enables contributors and higher roles to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24129

The vulnerability allows attackers with minimal access rights to insert arbitrary JavaScript or HTML, which could compromise the website's security and user data, posing risks of privilege escalation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24129

The vulnerability arises due to unvalidated input and lack of output encoding in the plugin. Attackers can leverage this flaw by embedding malicious scripts in posts containing the Themify Custom Panel.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Themify Portfolio Post WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.1.6 permits low-privileged users to perform stored cross-site scripting attacks, enabling them to inject malicious code into posts with the Themify Custom Panel.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of the Themify Portfolio Post plugin that are less than 1.1.6 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting JavaScript or HTML into posts where the Themify Custom Panel is used, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your system from CVE-2021-24129, immediate action and long-term security measures are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Themify Portfolio Post plugin to version 1.1.6 or higher to eliminate the vulnerability.
Limit access rights appropriately to prevent unauthorized users from injecting malicious code.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update all installed plugins and themes to the latest secure versions.
Educate users on secure coding practices and the risks of unvalidated input in web applications.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for plugins and promptly apply them to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.