CVE-2021-24170 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-24170, a vulnerability in User Profile Picture < 2.5.0 WordPress plugin exposing sensitive data. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24170, a vulnerability in the User Profile Picture WordPress plugin before version 2.5.0 that could expose sensitive information to unauthorized users.
Understanding CVE-2021-20657
This section explores the impact and technical details of the vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-24170?
The vulnerability in the User Profile Picture WordPress plugin before version 2.5.0 allowed the REST API endpoint get_users to expose more information than necessary to users with the upload_files capability.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24170
The sensitive information exposed included password hashes, hashed user activation keys, usernames, emails, and other less sensitive data, potentially leading to unauthorized access and privacy breaches.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24170
Let's delve deeper into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stemmed from the get_users REST API endpoint providing excessive user data to users with specific capabilities, compromising data security.
Affected Systems and Versions
The User Profile Picture WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.5.0 were affected by this information exposure vulnerability, leaving them at risk of data leakage.
Exploitation Mechanism
By leveraging the upload_files capability, threat actors could exploit the vulnerability to gain access to sensitive user information through the exposed API endpoint.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the steps to secure your systems and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-24170.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update the User Profile Picture plugin to version 2.5.0 or above to mitigate the vulnerability and protect sensitive data.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement strict access controls, regularly monitor for unauthorized activities, and educate users on best security practices to prevent similar incidents.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates for the User Profile Picture plugin to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.