CVE-2021-24140 : What You Need to Know

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24140, which is an authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability in the Ajax Load More WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24140

CVE-2021-24140 is a security flaw that exists in versions of the Ajax Load More WordPress plugin prior to 5.3.2. It allows attackers to execute SQL Injection by manipulating certain input parameters.

What is CVE-2021-24140?

The vulnerability in the Ajax Load More WordPress plugin, versions before 5.3.2, enables SQL Injection in the POST /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with specific parameters, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24140

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in an attacker gaining unauthorized access to the WordPress site, extract sensitive data, modify content, or perform further malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24140

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24140 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from unvalidated input in the plugin, which allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially compromising the WordPress database.

Affected Systems and Versions

Ajax Load More versions before 5.3.2 are affected by this vulnerability. Users with prior plugin versions are advised to update to version 5.3.2 or higher to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP POST request to the /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint with malicious SQL code as input parameters.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-24140, users and administrators are recommended to take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Ajax Load More WordPress plugin to version 5.3.2 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs and user activities for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes to ensure all software components are up-to-date.
Implement strong input validation mechanisms to prevent SQL Injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates for the Ajax Load More plugin and apply them promptly to address any known vulnerabilities.