CVE-2021-24357 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A detailed overview of the CVE-2021-24357 vulnerability affecting the FooGallery WordPress plugin version less than 2.0.35, leading to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting issue.

Understanding CVE-2021-24357

This section explores the key details regarding the CVE-2021-24357 vulnerability in the Best Image Gallery & Responsive Photo Gallery – FooGallery plugin.

What is CVE-2021-24357?

The CVE-2021-24357 vulnerability exists in versions of the FooGallery WordPress plugin prior to 2.0.35. It arises due to inadequate sanitization of the Custom CSS field in each gallery, allowing for stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24357

The impact of this vulnerability includes the potential for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions, leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24357

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-24357 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from the lack of proper sanitization or validation of the Custom CSS field data, enabling threat actors to inject and store harmful scripts that are executed when the gallery is displayed.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of the FooGallery plugin that are below 2.0.35, specifically affecting users who have custom CSS configured for their galleries.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires authenticated access, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts through the Custom CSS field and execute them in the context of other users' interactions with the gallery.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the CVE-2021-24357 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the FooGallery plugin to version 2.0.35 or newer to prevent the risk of stored XSS attacks. Additionally, it is recommended to review and sanitize any existing Custom CSS configurations.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, developers should adopt secure coding practices, validate user inputs, and implement strict output sanitization to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins, monitoring security advisories, and promptly applying patches are crucial steps to maintain the security of WordPress websites and prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.