CVE-2021-24276 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A deep dive into the Contact Form by Supsystic WordPress plugin vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-24276

This CVE represents a reflected Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the Contact Form by Supsystic plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24276?

The Contact Form by Supsystic WordPress plugin before version 1.7.15 failed to sanitize the tab parameter of its options page, resulting in a reflected Cross-Site Scripting flaw.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24276

Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially stealing sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24276

Let's delve into the specifics of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of proper input sanitization in the tab parameter of the plugin's options page enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue affects Contact Form by Supsystic versions earlier than 1.7.15.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a specially-crafted link and tricking a logged-in user into clicking it, an attacker can execute arbitrary scripts in the user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to address and prevent the CVE-2021-24276 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Contact Form by Supsystic plugin to at least version 1.7.15 to mitigate the XSS risk.
Educate users to avoid clicking on suspicious links received via the plugin.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories for the plugin and promptly apply updates.
Implement web application security best practices to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by the plugin vendor to safeguard your WordPress site against emerging threats.