CVE-2021-24191 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in the 'WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction' WordPress plugin before version 1.8.2. Attackers can exploit this flaw to install and activate plugins from the WordPress repository, potentially leading to critical vulnerabilities.

Understanding CVE-2021-24191

This CVE identifies a security issue in the WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction plugin, allowing low privileged users to install and activate arbitrary plugins.

What is CVE-2021-24191?

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to abuse an AJAX action in the plugin to install any plugin, including specific versions, and activate arbitrary plugins on the WordPress site, potentially leading to the installation of vulnerable plugins and further exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24191

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to the installation of malicious plugins, compromising the security and integrity of the WordPress site, potentially resulting in severe consequences like remote code execution (RCE) attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24191

This section provides more specific technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Low privileged users can abuse the 'cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback' AJAX action in the WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction WordPress plugin to install and activate plugins from the WordPress repository.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction plugin prior to version 1.8.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by using the AJAX action to manipulate plugin installations and activations, potentially leading to the compromise of the WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-24191 and similar vulnerabilities, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the WP Maintenance Mode & Site Under Construction plugin to version 1.8.2 or later to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. It is also advisable to review and remove any unauthorized plugins installed during the period of exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing proper user access control and regular security audits can help prevent unauthorized plugin installations and enhance the overall security posture of WordPress sites.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins and maintaining a robust security patch management process can help address known vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploitation through plugin-related security flaws.