CVE-2021-24194 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the details of CVE-2021-24194 affecting the Login Protection - Limit Failed Login Attempts WordPress plugin, enabling low privileged users to install and activate arbitrary plugins, posing security risks.
This CVE-2021-24194 article provides an in-depth analysis of the vulnerability identified in the Login Protection - Limit Failed Login Attempts WordPress plugin before version 2.9, allowing low privileged users to install and activate arbitrary plugins, potentially leading to severe vulnerabilities like remote code execution (RCE).
Understanding CVE-2021-24194
In this section, we will delve into the details of CVE-2021-24194.
What is CVE-2021-24194?
The vulnerability in the Login Protection - Limit Failed Login Attempts plugin allows low privileged users to use a specific AJAX action to install and activate plugins from the WordPress repository, including potentially vulnerable ones, exposing the website to security risks.
The Impact of CVE-2021-24194
Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to the installation of malicious plugins, opening up avenues for attackers to compromise the website and execute arbitrary code, potentially causing significant harm.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-24194
This section will cover the technical aspects of CVE-2021-24194.
Vulnerability Description
Low privileged users can abuse the 'cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback' AJAX action to install any plugin from the WordPress repository and activate arbitrary plugins on the affected WordPress blog.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects the Login Protection - Limit Failed Login Attempts WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.9.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with low privilege can exploit the vulnerability to install vulnerable plugins via the designated AJAX action, potentially leading to severe consequences like remote code execution (RCE).
Mitigation and Prevention
In this section, we will explore how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-24194.
Immediate Steps to Take
Website administrators are advised to update the Login Protection - Limit Failed Login Attempts plugin to version 2.9 or newer to prevent unauthorized plugin installations.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement strict user access controls and regularly monitor plugin installations and activations to detect and prevent unauthorized actions.
Patching and Updates
Regularly update all WordPress plugins and themes to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall site security.