CVE-2021-24331 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress plugin Smooth Scroll Page Up/Down Buttons before version 1.4 is vulnerable to Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) due to improper sanitization of settings, allowing privileged users to inject XSS payloads.

Understanding CVE-2021-24331

This CVE identifies a security issue in the Smooth Scroll Page Up/Down Buttons plugin, affecting versions before 1.4.

What is CVE-2021-24331?

The Smooth Scroll Page Up/Down Buttons plugin before version 1.4 is impacted by an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability. The plugin fails to adequately sanitize and validate its settings, enabling high-privilege users like admins to embed malicious XSS payloads.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24331

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized actions or data theft from users accessing a compromised website. Attackers can inject harmful scripts into the plugin settings, posing a risk to affected websites and their visitors.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24331

In-depth technical information regarding the CVE-2021-24331 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's lack of proper validation and sanitization of settings values such as psb_distance, psb_buttonsize, and psb_speed. Malicious users with elevated privileges can abuse these settings to execute XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Smooth Scroll Page Up/Down Buttons plugin versions prior to 1.4 are vulnerable to this exploit. Users with impacted versions should upgrade to the latest release to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers must be authenticated users with sufficient privileges within the WordPress environment. By injecting crafted XSS payloads into the plugin's settings, the attacker can trigger malicious scripts when unsuspecting users interact with the compromised elements.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to protect your WordPress site from CVE-2021-24331 and similar threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Affected site owners should update the Smooth Scroll Page Up/Down Buttons plugin to version 1.4 or higher immediately. Regular security audits and monitoring can help detect any unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce the principle of least privilege, restrict admin access, and educate users about safe browsing practices to minimize the risk of XSS attacks. Consider using security plugins to enhance website protection.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for all installed plugins and themes. Timely updates help address known vulnerabilities and strengthen the overall security posture of your WordPress website.