CVE-2021-24254 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24254, a vulnerability in the College Publisher Import WordPress plugin version 0.1 that allows arbitrary file upload leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) due to the lack of file type validation.

Understanding CVE-2021-24254

This section delves into the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2021-24254?

The College Publisher Import WordPress plugin version 0.1 fails to validate the uploaded CSV files, enabling high privilege users to upload malicious files like PHP scripts, thereby allowing RCE. Additionally, the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection makes the vulnerability exploitable through CSRF attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24254

The vulnerability poses a severe risk to systems using the College Publisher Import plugin version 0.1, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code and potentially compromise the affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24254

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability, affected systems, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2021-24254 arises due to the plugin's failure to verify the integrity of uploaded CSV files, opening an avenue for attackers to upload harmful files and execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the College Publisher Import WordPress plugin version 0.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with high privilege can exploit this vulnerability by uploading malicious PHP files via the plugin, leading to unauthorized execution of code and potential system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the steps that users and administrators can take to mitigate the risk and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-24254.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately updating the College Publisher Import plugin to a secure version (greater than 0.1).
Restricting file upload permissions to trusted users.
Implementing CSRF protection to prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitoring for plugin updates and security advisories.
Conducting security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the plugin developer promptly to safeguard against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-24254.