CVE-2021-24258 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed overview of the CVE-2021-24258 vulnerability affecting Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro WordPress Plugins.

Understanding CVE-2021-24258

This CVE highlights a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro WordPress Plugins versions prior to 2.2.0.

What is CVE-2021-24258?

The Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro WordPress Plugins before version 2.2.0 are susceptible to stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks by lower-privileged users, like contributors. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into these plugins.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24258

With this vulnerability, attackers with lower privileges can execute malicious scripts on websites using affected versions of Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro. This could lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, and site defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24258

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro plugins allows contributors to store malicious scripts using widgets, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro versions prior to 2.2.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Lower-privileged users such as contributors can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the widgets of the affected plugins.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2021-24258 using the following strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Elements Kit Lite and Elements Kit Pro plugins to version 2.2.0 or higher to mitigate the risk of stored XSS attacks. It is crucial to stay informed about security patches and install them promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates for WordPress plugins and themes. Implement access controls to restrict contributors' ability to insert scripts. Conduct security audits frequently.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches released by WPScan or plugin vendors promptly. Regularly check for vulnerability disclosures and update WordPress components accordingly.