CVE-2021-24338 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-24338, a vulnerability found in the Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2021-24338

CVE-2021-24338 is an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields plugin versions prior to 2.7.27.

What is CVE-2021-24338?

The Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields plugin before version 2.7.27 is susceptible to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) security flaw within the 'Singular Label' field parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24338

This vulnerability could allow an authenticated attacker to inject malicious scripts into the application, leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24338

The technical details of CVE-2021-24338 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper validation of user-supplied data in the 'Singular Label' field, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the target user's session.

Affected Systems and Versions

Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields plugin versions earlier than 2.7.27 are impacted by this XSS vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with authenticated access could exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the 'Singular Label' field, potentially compromising the integrity of the WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-24338, consider the following mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields plugin to version 2.7.27 or newer.
Monitor for any unauthorized changes or activities on the WordPress site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and keep the WordPress installation up to date.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the plugin developers and apply them promptly to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.