CVE-2021-24272 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-24272, a vulnerability in the Fitness Calculators WordPress plugin before version 1.9.6 that could lead to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

Understanding CVE-2021-24272

This section provides insights into the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-24272?

The Fitness Calculators WordPress plugin before 1.9.6 lacked CSRF validation, enabling attackers to manipulate logged-in user actions, potentially resulting in Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24272

The absence of proper data sanitization could allow threat actors to execute malicious scripts on affected websites, posing a risk of sensitive data exposure and unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24272

Understanding the vulnerability in-depth including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from missing CSRF checks, enabling attackers to exploit the plugin's functionality to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fitness Calculators plugin versions prior to 1.9.6 were impacted by this vulnerability, exposing websites with the plugin installed to potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could leverage the lack of CSRF protection to force authenticated users to execute unintended actions, such as altering calculator settings, which could lead to XSS attacks and data manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Effective strategies to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-24272 and safeguard vulnerable systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Fitness Calculators plugin to version 1.9.6 or above to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security measures, including regular security audits, user input validation, and monitoring for unauthorized activities, to enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security updates and patches released by the plugin vendor, ensuring timely installation to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen the website's security.