CVE-2021-24292 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides insights into CVE-2021-24292, a vulnerability found in Happy Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.24.0 and Happy Addons Pro for Elementor WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.17.0. The issue allows for stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) by lower-privileged users, leading to a security risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-24292

In this section, we will delve into what CVE-2021-24292 entails, the impact it poses, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2021-24292?

The Happy Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin before 2.24.0 and Happy Addons Pro for Elementor WordPress plugin before 1.17.0 contain widgets that are susceptible to stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of user input, allowing malicious scripts to be executed within the plugin's context.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24292

The vulnerability in Happy Addons for Elementor and Happy Addons Pro for Elementor plugins can be exploited by contributors or lower-privileged users to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code. This could lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, and potentially full compromise of the affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24292

Let's explore the specific technical aspects of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the 'Card' widget in both plugins, which accepts a 'title_tag' parameter. Despite having a fixed set of allowable HTML tags, a malicious user can craft a request to execute arbitrary JavaScript by setting the 'heading_tag' to 'script'. This allows the execution of JavaScript code within the widget.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Happy Addons for Elementor versions prior to 2.24.0 and Happy Addons Pro for Elementor versions prior to 1.17.0. Websites using these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the 'Card' widget with a crafted request, an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code that will be executed when the widget is loaded, potentially compromising the user's session or performing unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24292, immediate steps and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the affected plugins should update to the latest patched versions immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Furthermore, site owners are advised to monitor for any suspicious activity that may indicate a security breach.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is essential to follow secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and stay informed about vulnerabilities in third-party plugins. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security plugins can provide an added layer of defense.

Patching and Updates

Plugin developers should release timely patches for identified vulnerabilities and communicate these updates to users effectively. Site administrators must prioritize updating plugins to secure versions to prevent potential security incidents.